Paw Pause

13/02/2026

We’re so happy to be at The Neuronurture Con 2026, sharing the magic of animal-assisted therapy and how we can support children with autism and their families. It’s a privilege to be part of this neuroaffirming space, sharing information to support children and teens to thrive. And Eddie the therapy dog is on hand for free pats for people at the Festival Centre, of course!

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

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Who Works in Animal-Assisted Services?

Animal-assisted services are delivered by a diverse, multidisciplinary workforce, supporting people across health, disability, education, justice, community and aged-care settings.

Professionals working ethically with animals may include:

🔹Health practitioners – psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social workers, counsellors and physiotherapists integrating animals within their professional scope.

🔹 Education professionals – teachers, special educators and learning support staff integrating animals to support engagement, regulation and inclusive learning.

🔹 Disability & community support professionals – disability support workers, youth workers and case managers supporting participation and wellbeing through structured animal-assisted activities.

🔹 Animal-assisted practitioners – practitioners with specialist training in animal-assisted programs, operating within ethical and welfare frameworks.

🔹 Health, aged-care, justice & first-responder settings – nurses, lifestyle staff and practitioners supporting wellbeing, trauma recovery and social connection.

Across all settings, best practice requires:
✔ Appropriate human qualifications
✔ Animal welfare and species-specific training
✔ Clear scope of practice
✔ Insurance, risk management and ethical delivery

Animal-assisted services are not one profession — they are a collaborative field centred on human wellbeing and animal welfare.

06/02/2026

In some schools, support animals are thoughtfully integrated to help create calm, inclusive learning environments where students feel safe, regulated, and ready to learn.

Support animals may be present during structured wellbeing programs, learning activities, or regulated quiet spaces. Their role is to support emotional regulation, engagement, motivation and positive behaviour — not to replace teachers or specialist supports, but to complement them.

When integrated appropriately, support animals in schools may help:
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Support emotional regulation and self-calming
• Improve engagement and attendance
• Encourage empathy, responsibility, and connection
• Create inclusive, supportive learning environments

Successful school-based programs are underpinned by clear policies, parental consent, safeguarding procedures, staff training, and a strong focus on student safety and animal welfare.

04/02/2026

🐾Ask us today how we incorporate these practices into our Paw Pause sessions🐾

In some psychology practices, animals may be thoughtfully and ethically incorporated to support therapeutic goals — always under the guidance of a qualified, fully insured psychologist.

Animals are not delivering the therapy. Instead, they may be included to complement evidence-based psychological approaches by helping clients feel calmer, safer, more motivated and engaged.

Their presence can support emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, and create opportunities for connection — particularly for clients who find traditional talk-based therapy challenging.

When animals are included in psychological practice, this typically involves:
• Working strictly within the psychologist’s professional scope of practice
• Clear therapeutic intent and client consent
• Careful consideration of animal suitability, welfare, and temperament
• Robust risk management, hygiene, and safeguarding processes
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance

When incorporated responsibly, animals can act as a gentle bridge — supporting therapeutic relationships while maintaining high clinical, ethical, and professional standards.

03/02/2026

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Fully insured practitioners who incorporate animals into their work do so within clear professional, ethical, and safety frameworks.

Animals are intentionally integrated to support learning, therapy, or wellbeing goals — never as a substitute for professional expertise, but as a complementary support.

Practitioners carefully consider the needs of the client, the suitability and welfare of the animal, and the environment in which services are delivered.

This approach typically includes:
• Working within the practitioner’s existing scope of practice
• Including animals purposefully to support defined outcomes
• Ensuring appropriate training, handling, and welfare standards for animals
• Holding relevant professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Applying robust risk management, consent, and safeguarding processes

When delivered by qualified, insured professionals, animal-assisted services can enhance engagement, emotional regulation, learning and connection — while maintaining the highest standards of care for both people and animals.

31/01/2026

🐾Ask us how Paw Pause teams can support students at school🐾

For young people who feel disconnected from traditional learning environments, education can feel overwhelming or unsafe. Animals help shift that experience.

Animal-assisted learning creates a calm, non-judgemental space where trust can develop naturally.

Animals don’t criticise, rush, or label — they respond to consistency, kindness, and presence. This helps learners build emotional regulation, confidence, empathy, and a sense of responsibility.

Through structured, supported interactions with animals, disengaged learners can reconnect with learning, strengthen social skills, and experience achievement in meaningful ways.

15/01/2026

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Article Alert: Use of Animal -Assisted Therapy by Australian Psychologists: A Growing Trend

https://www.insurance.com.au/news/2025/use-of-animal-therapy-by-australian-psychologists-a-growing-trend