Lead The Way

07/04/2026

Every term, our Therapy Dog teams spend time in schools working alongside small groups of students, often sitting together on the floor, connecting and learning in a calm, supported space.

But there’s more to it than what you see on the surface.

Our group wellbeing programs are thoughtfully designed and delivered by qualified mental health professionals, combining animal assisted therapy, experiential learning and meaningful interaction with Certified Therapy Dogs.

Within these sessions, students are supported to:
• Build emotional regulation and resilience
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Develop confidence and communication skills
• Strengthen peer connection and engagement

The presence of a therapy dog may help create a sense of safety and calm. Lowering stress responses, improving mood, and making it easier for students to participate and connect.

Our approach is evidence-based, trauma-informed and neuroaffirming… but it’s also engaging, hands-on and (most importantly) SO MUCH FUN!

We’re proud to offer targeted support for students who may benefit from additional wellbeing support in the school environment.

We are also listed on the School Mental Health Menu, meaning schools may be able to access funding to support these programs.

If you’re a school looking ahead to Term 2, we’d love to chat about how we can support your students 💙 🐶

👉 https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/therapy-wellbeing-dogs

02/04/2026

We're taking a little Easter break 🐰

We'll be closed over the long weekend and back Tuesday 7th April.

01/04/2026

As the School holidays begin remember that it doesn't always feel like a break for every child…

For some kids (and adults!), the change in routine, extra noise and unpredictability can feel overwhelming rather than exciting.

A few gentle ways to keep things feeling a little calmer:
• Keep a bit of structure to the day (even if it’s flexible)
• Leave space for real downtime. Not every day needs to be full of activities
• Get outside where you can. Nature has a way of settling busy nervous systems 🌿
• Spend time with your pets. A quiet walk, a gentle pat, just being together 🐾

Sometimes it’s the simplest moments that help us to regulate, reconnect and reset.

31/03/2026

Ever wondered why your dog just gets it when you’re stressed? 🐾

Turns out… the science is catching up to what we’ve always known 💙

Ever notice you feel calmer during stressful situations if your pet is with you? There's science behind that!

We're excited to share new research out of our Human-Animal Bond Lab (HAB Lab) examining whether dogs provide a unique form of support during stress - and the results reveal some interesting patterns.

🧠 What we did:
We synthesized results from 30 studies that tested over 2,000 people's stress responses across different social conditions (dog present, alone, with another person, or with an inanimate object).

🔎What we found:
People showed smaller increases in heart rate and perceived stress with a dog present compared to other conditions. However, dogs had no differential effect on blood pressure or cortisol responses.

💡 Why it matters:
Having a dog present was more effective at buffering stress than having another person present - possibly due to dogs' nonjudgmental nature. This suggests dogs offer a different type of social support than people do.

📊 Led by PI Kerri Rodriguez, with contributions from Molly Delzio, Adelaide Ruekgauer, and UA Libraries.
🔎 Read the full study here: https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2026.2621532

30/03/2026

Practicum 1.1 is all about foundations...and where you learn matters.

At home, dogs and handlers are in a calm, familiar environment. That means they can focus on learning new skills with fewer distractions.

Because once we move onsite… everything changes.
New smells
New sounds
Other dogs
New people

Starting online gives both dogs and handlers the chance to build confidence and understanding first. So when they step into a busier environment, they’re not overwhelmed… they’re prepared.

It sets everyone up for success 💙

27/03/2026

This is such an interesting conversation…

While these studies give us some helpful insight, the most important takeaway isn’t about whether one “type” of dog is better than another.

It’s this 👇

A well-rounded, social, reliable dog doesn’t come down to whether they’re a doodle or a purebred — it comes down to what happens from the very beginning.

✨ Thoughtful, ethical breeding
✨ Early positive socialisation (lots of safe, gentle and supported exposure to the big wide world)
✨ Consistent training
✨ Understanding the individual dog in front of you
✨ Setting realistic expectations as they grow

These are the things that truly shape behaviour.

There’s no shortcut, no “guarantee breed” — just good foundations, good guidance, and a whole lot of intentional effort early on 🤍🐾

A lot of people choose dogs like Cockapoos, Cavapoos and Labradoodles because they’re often marketed as the best of both worlds: healthier than purebreds, easy to train, and great family dogs. But two large UK studies suggest the picture is much more complicated than that.

The first study, published in 2024, looked at the physical health of more than 9,400 dogs and found that these designer crosses were not generally healthier than purebred breed. In 86.6% of health comparisons, there was no significant difference at all. In other words, the idea that doodles automatically benefit from “hybrid vigour” was not supported here. They were not healthier, but they were not broadly less healthy either.

The second study, published this month, looked at behaviour in the same three doodle types and compared them with their parent breeds using C-BARQ. This time, the findings were more striking. Across the behavioural comparisons, designer crossbreeds showed more undesirable behaviours in 44.4% of comparisons and fewer undesirable behaviours in just 9.7%.

Cockapoos stood out the most. They differed from Cocker Spaniels and Poodles in 16 out of 24 behaviour comparisons, and in every one of those they scored worse. Cavapoos also showed more undesirable behaviour in most of the comparisons where they differed from their parent breeds. Labradoodles were more mixed, scoring worse than their parent breeds in some areas, but better in others.

One of the most important takeaways is that being a crossbreed does not guarantee an easier temperament. The 2026 paper highlights higher scores in areas such as fear, excitability, separation related behaviours, and in some cases aggression, particularly in Cockapoos and Cavapoos. That matters, because many owners choose these dogs believing they will be especially easy to live with or naturally good with children.

So the message here is not “doodles are bad dogs” and it is not “purebreds are better.” The real message is that marketing myths are not the same as evidence. Good welfare depends far more on ethical breeding, the health and temperament of the parents, early life experiences, training, and realistic expectations.

25/03/2026

'Learner' is a beautiful (and very important) stage in the Therapy Dog journey.

At this point, the dog and handler have successfully completed all Level 1 training—including theory and 4 practicum days—and are ready to step into the workplace environment.

But here’s the key…
They’re not there to provide therapy just yet.

The focus of a Learner dog is:
✨ Building confidence in real-world environments
✨ Continued socialisation
✨ Creating positive, low-pressure workplace experiences
✨ Learning how to simply 'be' in the space

After passing their Learner Assessment (Day 1.4), teams begin their Learner Dog & Provisional Handler Placement. During this time, they follow an individual training and socialisation plan tailored to their dog.

Because just like people, every dog learns at their own pace 🐶

This stage is all about setting teams up for success, ensuring dogs feel safe, comfortable, and confident before moving into a therapeutic role.

Once a team has gained enough workplace experience, they can then progress to Level 2: Visiting Therapy Dog Certification 🐾

It’s a thoughtful, gradual process, and one we truly value. Because the best therapy dogs aren’t rushed… they’re nurtured 💛

23/03/2026

Social Paws is back...and it’s not your typical social skills group program.

Each week, kids gently build real-life social skills like:
🐶 Introducing themselves
🐶 Working as a team
🐶 Managing big feelings
🐶 Following Rules

And the best part?
They’re not just talking about these skills—they’re practising them in fun, hands-on activities with our therapy dogs.

Small group sizes, qualified supportive facilitators, and plenty of space to feel comfortable and grow 💛

✅ Suitable for kids in Grade 3 to 6
📅 Begins 29th April

Limited spots available! Get in touch to learn more or secure a place.

Sometimes the best way to build confidence
is with a furry friend right beside you 🐾

20/03/2026

In therapy work we always talk about welfare and your dog's wellbeing in the workplace.

But it’s just as important to remember what happens outside of the work.

Dogs need time to simply be dogs.

Time to switch off.
To move their bodies.
To enjoy the things they love — without any expectations.

As we head into the weekend, it might look like:
• A long walk in nature
• A run at the park with a ball
• A slow morning and a nap on the couch
• Or just spending time together, doing very little

These moments aren’t separate from the work — they’re what make the work sustainable.

A well-rested, happy dog is far more likely to feel comfortable, engaged and willing when it matters.

So this weekend… no work!
Take some time for connection, enjoyment, and a little reset for both of you 🐾🤍

18/03/2026

Sometimes healing starts with slowing your breathing.

In our Animal Assisted Psychology Clinic, we often begin here. Not with words, but with a moment to pause, settle, and notice.

The quiet presence of a calm dog can help bring people back into the present. A gentle pat, the rhythm of breathing together, the feeling of connection. These small moments can support grounding and make it easier to regulate emotions.

For some people, this sense of safety can create space to begin exploring things that might otherwise feel overwhelming.

If you'd like to learn more about Animal Assisted Psychology or enquire about appointment availability, we welcome you to contact our clinic 🐾🤍

📧 enquiries@leadtheway.com.au
☎️ (03) 9761 0973

16/03/2026

Last few places available for our Recertification Day scheduled for the 23rd March.

If you’re due for renewal, now’s the time to secure your spot!

https://leadthewayinstitute.thinkific.com/products/courses/certification-assessment-2026

13/03/2026

People often ask what Visiting Dogs actually do in aged care.

Most visits look quite simple. A dog sitting quietly beside a resident, accepting gentle pats or resting their head on someone’s lap.

But something special often happens in these moments. Conversations start, memories are shared, and residents begin talking about the dogs they once loved. Sometimes it even brings a few emotions to the surface.

It may look simple from the outside, but the connection created in these moments is real, and truly priceless 🥰 🐾