Engage Playfully

06/11/2025

🐾✨ Poppy’s got a fresh new look and she’s loving it!
Her new therapy dog jacket isn’t just comfy and confidence-boosting… it was designed by one of our incredible clients who noticed that Poppy’s old jacket didn’t quite feel right. With creativity and compassion, they reimagined something softer, more flexible, and full of heart 💛
Now Poppy struts into sessions feeling safe, stylish, and seen and we couldn’t be prouder of the collaboration that made it happen.
Here’s to playful partnerships and thoughtful design that puts wellbeing first 🐶🎨

06/11/2025

🌈 Welcome to Engage Playfully
Where Therapy Meets Tail Wags 🐾

Looking for therapeutic supports that feel safe, creative, and genuinely connected? At Engage Playfully, we offer Key Worker and Animal-Assisted Play Therapy services designed to help children thrive emotionally, socially, and playfully.

Led by Animal-Assisted Play Therapist Keryn Vasta, our team works across clinics, schools, and homes to deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed care that celebrates every milestone, big or small.

💛 What We Offer:
- Key Worker support to coordinate services and simplify NDIS goals
- Animal-Assisted Play Therapy with trained therapy animals like Poppy
- Child Centered Play Therapy without animal Assistance
- Creative emotional support tools (yes, Poppy the Plushie is part of the team!)
- Flexible service delivery in clinics, schools, childcare centres, and homes
- Strengths-based communication that supports families through every step

✨ Accessing Supports:
- Through NDIS: Contact us or Chat with your support coordinator about including Engage Playfully in your plan. We’re happy to provide supporting documentation and collaborate with your team.
- Privately: Families can also access services directly, no referral needed. Just reach out and we’ll guide you through options that suit your child’s needs.

Ready to explore playful supports? Message us today or visit engageplayfully.com.au to learn more.
Let’s build something beautiful—together, and playfully 🐾

05/11/2025

🌟 Struggling with Power Struggles at Home? Try Play Instead! 🌟

At Engage Playfully, we know that connection is an important part of parenting. Often , we can get stuck in cycles of stress, resistance, and disconnection. That’s where our services come in with parent support and individual child centred play therapy sessions

Through Playful Engagement, we help parents, caregivers and children:
Goals to:
- Reduce power struggles and stress
- Build stronger bonds
- Create a sense of safety and trust - Turn everyday moments (like chores or transitions) into opportunities for laughter and learning

Playful Engagement isn’t just about board games or activities it’s about a way of interacting. Imagine:
🎶 Singing through clean-up time 🦸 Flying like superheroes to the dinner table
😂 Using a silly voice to redirect behavior

When kids feel safe and connected, cooperation can follow naturally. And when parents feel less stressed, the whole household can thrive
✨ That’s the heart of what we do at Engage Playfully: helping families transform challenges into joyful connection.
👉 Curious how Playful Engagement could work in your home? Reach out today we’d love to show you how play can change everything.

03/11/2025

🐾💛 Poppy’s Special Delivery 💛🐾
A few weeks ago, therapy dog Poppy helped make a very special handover, passing on her emotional support friend, Poppy the Plushie, to one of our amazing young clients.
This cuddly companion will be joining her at school, offering comfort, safety, and a gentle reminder that she’s never alone, especially during those wobbly-feeling moments.
We love using tools like these to extend the magic of animal-assisted therapy beyond the playroom. Thank you to Little Paws Plushies for creating such thoughtful, heartwarming supports for children navigating big emotions.
Here’s to brave steps, soft paws, and feeling safe wherever you go 🐶✨

31/10/2025

🎓🐾 Winnie Graduates Puppy School! 🐾🎓
We’re so proud of our therapy dog-in-training, Winnie, who officially graduated from puppy school this week!
Winnie is now confidently sitting on cue, coming when called, and walking beautifully on her lead but the real showstopper? She’s started to dance on command 💃🐶
These new skills are helping Winnie build the confidence and focus she’ll need in her future role supporting our amazing participants. We’re so excited to see her continue to grow into her paws as part of the Engage Playfully team!
Way to go, Winnie! 💛

28/09/2025

🧠💛 How Play Therapy Fills Up Children’s Cups
At Engage Playfully, we see it every day, play therapy isn’t just fun, it’s deeply nourishing. Through creative, child-led sessions (often with our beloved therapy dogs 🐾), children explore emotions, build confidence, and feel truly seen.
Whether it’s crafting, role-play, sensory play, or simply sharing a moment of joy, each interaction helps fill their emotional cup with:
✨ Safety
✨ Connection
✨ Self-expression
✨ Regulation
✨ Resilience
When children feel emotionally full, they’re better equipped to face challenges, connect with others, and thrive in their learning and relationships.
Play is powerful. Play heals. Play fills us up. 💫
Want to learn more about our animal-assisted play therapy programs? Reach out—we’d love to support your child’s journey.

18/09/2025

These amazing Emotional Support Plushies are so beneficial for emotional regulation. 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

13/09/2025

So true 🐾🐾🐾🐾❤️❤️❤️

Share this with someone who gets it. 💜 Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday!

"Dogs have a way of stitching up the little cracks in our hearts, one wag and one nuzzle at a time."

13/09/2025

🐾 Winnie Watch Update! 🐾
Our sweet therapy pup Winnie is growing up right before our eyes, and we can hardly believe it! From clumsy zoomies to confident tail wags, she’s blossoming into a gentle, wise little companion who’s already making hearts melt in sessions.
She’s learning the ropes from big sister Poppy, mastering the art of snuggles, and showing up with her signature sparkle (and a nose for snacks). 💫
We’re so proud of her progress and can’t wait to see how she continues to bring joy, comfort, and playful connection to our Engage Playfully crew.
Drop a 🐶 below if you’ve been lucky enough to meet Winnie or if you’re cheering her on from afar!

06/09/2025

Best Friends in the making! ❤️🐾🐾

06/09/2025

🐾 Welcome Winnie! 🐾
We’re thrilled to introduce the newest (and fluffiest!) member of the Engage Playfully family, Winnie, our 9-week-old toy poodle!
Winnie is already settling in beautifully and forming a sweet friendship with Poppy, our seasoned therapy dog. The two are learning to play gently, share space, and listen to instructions from their adult humans, just like the children they support.
We can’t wait to see Winnie grow into her role and bring even more joy, comfort, and connection to our sessions. Stay tuned for more puppy updates and playful adventures! 🐶💛

30/08/2025

🐾 Meet Poppy: Our Gentle Co-Therapist in the Playroom 🐾

In the heart of our playroom, Poppy the therapy dog brings more than just wagging tails, she brings safety, connection, and calm.

Whether she’s quietly lying beside a child during a tough moment, joining in a game of role-play, or offering a soft nuzzle to help with emotional regulation, Poppy’s presence is purposeful and powerful. Her gentle cues help children build trust, practice empathy, and feel seen—without needing words.

For many neurodivergent children, Poppy becomes a steady companion in navigating big feelings, transitions, and social interactions. She doesn’t judge, rush, or overwhelm. She simply shows up—just as they are.

We’re so grateful for the quiet magic she brings to our sessions. 💛
Want to learn more about how animal-assisted play therapy supports emotional growth and connection? Reach out or visit www.engageplayfully.com.au