Animals – Wellbeing and Engagement

Acquiring and supporting a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal

Deciding whether a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal is appropriate for your school

Acquiring and supporting a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal is a long-term commitment. When considering whether to acquire a wellbeing and engagement animal, schools must consider:

• the costs associated with acquiring and caring for the animal, including veterinary, equipment and insurance costs
• which staff members would be able to fulfil the animal handler role (which includes caring for the animal after hours, on weekends, public holidays and school holidays) and what training they would need
• whether the animal and breed of animal has the appropriate temperament and is hypoallergenic.

Costs and procurement

Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu

Schools may use the Mental Health Fund to purchase wellbeing and engagement dogs through applicable Menu providers. Schools purchasing a dog to support implementation of a Menu program must use the department’s templates as appropriate for each provider:

• Dogs Connect template purchase order (DOCX) (staff login required)
• Guide Dogs Victoria template purchase order (DOCX) (staff login required)

These agreements contain a warranty that the dog is fit for purpose and gives legal protection to schools purchasing a wellbeing and engagement dog.

Schools purchasing a wellbeing dog through a Menu provider must also comply with the school’s and department’s policy, procedures and guidelines and the relevant school council agreements:

• School council agreement – wellbeing and engagement animal handler (school-owned) (DOCX) (staff login required)
• School council agreement – wellbeing and engagement animal handler (staff-owned) (DOCX) (staff login required).

Refer to the Mental Health Fund and Menu: Schools Mental Health Fund model and procurement advice.

Grants

Schools that are considering starting an animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement program using a school-owned animal may be eligible for an animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs grant.

Procurement

Schools must ensure that any purchases related to wellbeing and engagement animals comply with the department’s Procurement – Schools policy.

If schools are considering purchasing a wellbeing and engagement animal, contact the Legal Division at legal.services@education.vic.gov.au for advice on a purchase agreement.

Insurance

Schools should consider whether they want to source pet insurance.

Equipment

Schools must supply the necessary equipment to the animal handler and replace any equipment that is broken, used up or lost.

Legal agreement with animal handlers for school-owned wellbeing and engagement animals

Schools must use the School council agreement – wellbeing and engagement animal handler (school-owned) (DOCX) (staff login required) when entering into an agreement with a staff member to become an animal handler for a school-owned wellbeing and engagement animal.

Staff-owned wellbeing and engagement animal

Schools may permit a staff-owned animal to become a school wellbeing and engagement animal, provided both the animal and owner have completed appropriate training. In this case the owner would be the animal handler, with the option of training another person who could act as an additional animal handler.

Costs and procurement

Grants

Schools that are considering starting an animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement program using a staff-owned animal may be eligible for an animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs grant.

Procurement

The owner and animal must both have undergone appropriate training. This training may be paid for by the school.

Schools must ensure that any purchases related to wellbeing and engagement animals comply with the department’s Procurement - Schools policy.

Insurance

The staff member is responsible for any pet insurance, if they choose to obtain it.

Equipment

The staff member is responsible for the general care and costs associated with the animal.

Legal agreement for staff-owned wellbeing and engagement animals

Schools must use the School council agreement – wellbeing and engagement animal handler (staff-owned) (DOCX) (staff login required) when entering an arrangement with a staff member for their animal to work onsite as a school wellbeing and engagement animal.