Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) supports children and young people’s emotional, social and developmental growth through guided interactions with trained therapy animals in a safe, supportive and engaging environment.
Animal‑Assisted Therapy (AAT) is delivered by our paediatric occupational therapist and thoughtfully tailored to suit each family’s needs. By integrating a gentle, motivating therapy animal into sessions, we support children to build regulation, confidence, and functional skills in ways that feel meaningful, safe, and aligned with your family’s goals and routines.
Guided by a paediatric occupational therapist, AAT uses the presence of a calm, well‑trained therapy animal to enhance motivation, support regulation, and strengthen participation in therapeutic tasks. Research shows that animal‑assisted approaches can boost confidence, reduce stress, and improve engagement—key foundations for meaningful progress. By pairing evidence‑based OT practice with the unique connection children form with animals, AAT creates an environment where growth feels natural, supported, and genuinely enjoyable.
AAT uses a child’s natural interest in animals to boost engagement, support regulation, and build confidence in a way that feels fun, safe, and meaningful. When therapy aligns with a child’s passions, participation grows, skills strengthen, and progress becomes something they genuinely look forward to.
As an NDIS registered provider, we offer Animal‑Assisted Therapy (AAT) delivered by a paediatric occupational therapist, ensuring sessions are safe, goal‑aligned, and fully compliant with NDIS standards. AAT provides an engaging, motivating way for children to build regulation, confidence, and functional skills through the supportive presence of a trained therapy animal.
Animal Assisted Therapy helps children build confidence, communication and emotional regulation through meaningful interactions with registered therapy animals during guided, play based sessions.
Our approach to Animal Assisted Therapy is grounded in connection, comfort, and child led engagement, and Eevee, our standard sized Groodle, plays a big part in making that possible. As a gentle, social therapy dog who adores belly rubs, tug‑of‑war, treats, and cuddles, Eevee helps children feel safe, motivated, and ready to participate. Guided by an occupational therapist, sessions are shaped around each child’s goals and interests, using Eevee’s warm presence to support regulation, confidence, communication, and play. By blending evidence informed practice with the joy of interacting with a beloved therapy dog, we create a therapeutic experience that feels natural, meaningful, and genuinely enjoyable for families.
Children engage with therapy animals through guided activities that encourage communication, emotional connection and positive interaction in a safe environment.
Sessions include playful and engaging activities involving the therapy animal that support therapeutic goals while keeping children motivated and comfortable.
Each session is guided by clear therapy goals tailored to your child’s needs, ensuring that interactions with the therapy animal support meaningful development.
Animal assisted therapy helps children, young people and families build confidence, connection and emotional wellbeing.
Interactions with our therapy dog can help children and young people feel calm, safe and relaxed during therapy sessions.
This supportive environment can help children and young people manage emotions more effectively and feel more comfortable participating in activities.
Spending time with therapy animals often helps children feel more confident and willing to engage in communication and interaction.
This confidence can extend into everyday situations such as school, friendships and social activities.
Pet Therapy encourages children to practise communication, turn taking and interaction in a natural and enjoyable setting.
These experiences help build stronger social skills that support positive relationships with peers and adults.
Therapy animals can motivate children to participate in activities they may otherwise avoid or find challenging.
This engagement helps create positive therapy experiences that support learning, growth and emotional development.
Common questions about Animal Assisted Intervention and how therapy animals can support children and young people’s emotional, social and developmental wellbeing.
A therapy dog supports other people, not just their handler. An assistance dog is trained for one person and has public access rights.
Therapy dogs do not have public access rights and only visit places where permission is given.
Therapy dogs help with:
Children may pat, brush, read to, walk with, or complete activities involving the therapy dog.
Yes. Therapy dogs complete professional training and assessment to ensure they are safe, gentle, and suitable for working with children and families. The handler (your therapist) is also trained in Animal‑Assisted Therapy.
Yes. Safety is always the priority.
Our therapy dog has been assessed for temperament, behaviour, and health. Sessions are supervised by a trained therapist who manages interactions, hygiene, and boundaries.
Many children who are nervous around dogs feel more comfortable when introduced slowly and gently. Your therapist will follow your child’s pace and never force interaction. Some children even overcome their fear through supported exposure.
No. The therapy dog is an addition to evidence informed occupational therapy, not a replacement. Your therapist integrates the dog into sessions to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
We love the enthusiasm, but for safety and consistency, only the handler provides treats and toys. Children may offer treats during structured activities if appropriate.
Eevee is our gentle, standard-sized Groodle who works alongside Jessica in therapy sessions. She loves belly rubs, tug-of-war, treats, and cuddles, and she brings a warm, calming presence to the clinic.
Eevee knows basic cues and enjoys simple, fun activities like “fetch” “go find” and “touch.” These can be used in therapy to support engagement, communication, and motor skills.
When she’s off duty, Eevee loves playing tug‑of‑war, going for walks, snuggling with her family, and soaking up all the belly rubs she can get.
Eevee has a naturally soft, friendly temperament. She is patient with children, enjoys meeting new people, and responds beautifully to her handler’s cues. Her playful but gentle nature helps children feel safe and comfortable
Yes, if your child is comfortable and it fits the session goals. Eevee loves gentle pats and cuddles, and she is trained to interact safely with children.
Eevee has regular vet checks, grooming, rest breaks, and downtime. Her wellbeing is always prioritised, and she only works when she is relaxed and ready.
Yes. Eevee has been temperament‑tested, professionally trained, and works under Jessica’s supervision at all times. Her behaviour, health, and wellbeing are closely monitored.
Not always. The therapy dog attends sessions when it is clinically appropriate and beneficial for the child’s goals. Some sessions may be dog‑free depending on the plan.
The therapy dog is “on duty” when working.
Outside of sessions, please ask the handler before approaching. This helps maintain safety and the dog’s wellbeing.
“My dream was to bring together a small team of caring and experienced paediatric therapists to work closely with local families in a nurturing, safe and calming environment. My aim is to ensure all the families in our club feel supported by our team to live lives that are connected and meaningful. If it takes a village to raise a child, we would love to be part of your village if you need support!”.
“Being a part of this workplace and being able to support both the therapists and the kids to their highest potential is incredibly fulfilling. Allowing people to be the best version of themselves means they are able to offer more to each of their families at Kids Club.”
“My dream is to help children to develop the skills they need to grow into functional, independent young adults. I love supporting not just the child but their whole family, school and community to achieve goals that are meaningful. I look forward to working with your family”.
“My dream is to help big and little kids communicate with the important people in their life. I love helping kids feel heard and understood. Clear communication helps build meaningful relationships and emotional and psychological wellbeing for us as humans. It is such a privilege to help kids and their families understand each other”.
“My dream is for all children to thrive and live happy and meaningful lives. I enjoy getting to know each unique child, and working with them and their family, school and other important people in their life to achieve their goals.”.
“My dream is to help children flourish and achieve goals that help them to become independent and functional in their occupations at play, home, school and in the community. I love working closely with families to ensure important goals are prioritised and achieved, and I like to think of new ways to make therapy as fun as possible!”
“To empower children by giving them the tools they need to communicate in a fun, caring and family-centered way.”
My dream is to help children develop their movement skills, build self-confidence in their physical abilities and in doing these two steps, support their participation in play, exploration, sport and whatever activities motivate them. The ultimate reward of my job is the moment I see a child (and their parents!) realise that they can do more than they ever thought possible. Movement opens up life’s doors to a child and their family for the long term. ”
Shayne’s dream is to support children and their families in all aspects of life, including at home, at school and in the community. She loves to see the lightbulb moment when a child achieves their goals. Shayne enjoys collaborating with families, teachers and other important individuals in a child’s life and daily activities. She believes it is a privilege to be involved in supporting the children that enter Kids Club.
“My dream is that every child who comes to Kids Club for physio will get to say that they’ve had at least one positive experience with movement/physical activity. Developing movement skills is often key to supporting physical, mental and social wellbeing. I really do think even one positive experience can go a long way in terms of self-confidence, self-esteem, and willingness to try new things.”
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Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is delivered by our occupational therapist and thoughtfully tailored to suit each family’s needs. By integrating a gentle, motivating therapy animal into sessions, we support children to build regulation, confidence, and functional skills in ways that feel meaningful, safe, and aligned with your family’s goals and routines.
Guided by an occupational therapist, AAT uses the presence of a calm, well‑trained therapy animal to enhance motivation, support regulation, and strengthen participation in therapeutic tasks. Research shows that animal assisted approaches can boost confidence, reduce stress, and improve engagement, key foundations for meaningful progress. By pairing evidence informed OT practice with the unique connection children form with animals, AAT creates an environment where growth feels natural, supported, and genuinely enjoyable.
AAT uses a child’s natural interest in animals to boost engagement, support regulation, and build confidence in a way that feels fun, safe, and meaningful. When therapy aligns with a child’s passions, participation grows, skills strengthen, and progress becomes something they genuinely look forward to.
As an NDIS registered provider, we offer Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) delivered by an occupational therapist, ensuring sessions are safe, goal aligned, and fully compliant with NDIS standards. AAT provides an engaging, motivating way for children to build regulation, confidence, and functional skills through the supportive presence of a trained therapy animal.
