Opinion: The program that changed my daughter’s life

Peta Christie April 27, 2023

2 min read

Just like any other 12-year-old girl, my daughter Amber has started her new High School and is happily making new friends. But just a year ago, Amber found it difficult to go to school – the thought of walking through the school gates was just too much.

As her mother, I worked closely with her teachers to try everything I could think of to help bring her back to education, but Amber struggled to cope with the school environment due to her autism diagnosis which includes a sensory processing disorder. A typical school environment including having to interact with students and teachers caused her sensory overload and triggered severe anxiety.

I heard about MacKillop Family Services’ Paw Pals, an education therapy dog program that works with children to manage their emotions and behaviour, improve their confidence and reconnect them with their education.

Amber started the Paw Pals program, and in a remarkably short space of time working with therapy dog Barney (a golden lab) and education facilitator Suzie, I saw my daughter grow in confidence, and better understand her emotions.

Paw Pals is simply magic. It’s not just about having a cute dog in the classroom, it’s all the support the program puts around the child that makes such a difference. The Paw Pals facilitators work closely with Amber to make sure she has a safety plan to help her remain calm and regulate her emotions while they engage her in learning activities involving the therapy dog.

Amber’s work with Paw Pals has been life-changing. She is a happy child now and it’s only ever been animal-assisted programs that truly engaged Amber. Animals provide a feeling of safety as they don’t judge and provide unconditional love and support.

Amber still sees Paw Pal Barney, but recently told me that she may not need him at her new private girl’s school. She has grown in confidence and is happy to attend school each day. I’m so proud of her and the achievements she’s been able to make with Barney and the Paw Pals team by her side.

Amber’s results show that the program works. My dream is for all children to have access to the Paw Pals program if they need it. It works miracles.

It’s been amazing to watch the program grow. With the support of therapy dogs, MacKillop Family Services has supported over 650 kids to get back to education in the five years it has been running. Starting out in 2018 with one golden labrador and one facilitator, MacKillop has grown the program to eight facilitators and nine dogs who work across Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat.

The program is funded by MacKillop Family Services’ annual matched giving day, Paws4Kids. It receives no government funding and it is through the support of the community that children, like my daughter, can access the pathway they need so they too can learn, engage in education, and live their best lives.

Paws4Kids is on today! Every donation made to the Paws4Kids campaign today only is doubled, thanks to MacKillop’s major partner The Petspiration Foundation and other matching partners.

I encourage you to double the impact you can make and help students like my daughter to access an innovative solution that prevents them from disengaging from education and helps them to learn skills that will benefit them beyond the classroom.

Please give and share the campaign and together we can create a better future for children who struggle to learn. Visit www.paws4kids.org.au