Animals – Wellbeing and Engagement

Training requirements for wellbeing and engagement animals and animal handlers

To ensure the safety of staff, students, and animals in a wellbeing and engagement animal-assisted program, animals and animal handlers must have appropriate training.

Ensuring appropriate training

Principals must ensure the training of both animals and animal handlers by suitably qualified trainers before commencement of a wellbeing and engagement animal-assisted program by considering the trainer’s:

• appropriate training qualifications
• provision of appropriate and ethical services
• continuing professional development.

Several training providers are listed on the Schools Mental Health Menu. Those providers form a panel of providers that have been contracted under the department’s standard contract. Schools can find further information including the Rules of Use on the Department managed categories page.

For professional development on how to incorporate safe and effective wellbeing and engagement animal-assisted programs within the school environment, refer to Implementing Animal-Assisted School Programs.

Animal training

Some animals, such as dogs and horses, must have appropriate training to be wellbeing and engagement animals with children and young people.

Wellbeing and engagement animals must be re-evaluated regularly by the animal handler, noting any changes in temperament due to age or illness, to ensure they are still suitable to work in a wellbeing or engagement animal-assisted program.

For specific advice on the training requirements for wellbeing and engagement dogs, refer to the Specific requirements for wellbeing and engagement animals guidance chapter.