Groups For School & Organisations
Are you looking for ways to improve the mental health and wellbeing of your students or clients in a group environment?
Lead The Way’s group programmes are an innovative and engaging way to enhance and extend your support for students or clients. Delivered by qualified mental health professionals, our group programmes assist in breaking down barriers frequently faced in traditional therapy. By providing dog-related activities and experiential learning, our groups allow participants to engage in more ‘doing’ and less ‘talking’.
Ask us about Schools Mental Health Menu Funding
Lead The Way has been accepted as a preferred provider of evidence-based mental health interventions via the Victorian Government’s Mental Health Menu Fund. Call us on 03 9761 0973 for more information.
Whole Term Therapy Groups
Happy Paws – Total wellbeing group
This 8 session total wellbeing group assists with social and emotional development including social inclusion, stress and anxiety management, problem solving and persistence, and team work. Participants learn about how to create a happy healthy life by learning the life skills of dogs through guided interactions and activities. Participants engage in a range of dog-led experiences, each linked to key wellbeing skills, including play, relaxation, dog-training, and developing an obedience/agility routine.
Suitable for: Adaptable for children, adolescents and young adults from ages 8 to 25 years. Group sizes of 6 – 8 participants
Social Paws – Social skills group
This fun and interactive 8 session group programme is designed to assist children with the development of social skills, such as self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making, all whilst having a great time doing activities with the therapy dogs! Like us, dogs are social creatures, and during interactions participants get to practice skills alongside the dogs, such as following the rules, greeting each other, problem solving or waiting your turn.
Suitable for: Adaptable for early, middle or upper primary aged children aged 5 – 12 years. Group sizes of approx. 6 participants.
Brief Wellbeing Groups
Confident Paws – Confidence and communication
This brief 4 session wellbeing group focusses on confidence and communication skills along with the development of self awareness. Participants engage in guided experiences with the dogs, enabling them to learn the skills of self awareness, observation, and confident communication. There are underpinning themes of safety, respect and boundaries.
Suitable for: Adaptable for adolescents and young adults from ages 12 – 25 years. Group sizes up to 12 participants
Single Session Wellbeing Sessions & Events
Peaceful Paws – Mindfulness and stress management
This single 1-2 hour session is based on stress management skills, including mindfulness using a trauma informed model. Participants are encouraged to observe the unique ways that dogs manage physical and mental stress via ‘life lessons of dogs’ such as living in the moment. In small groups, the participants then engage in mindfulness-based relaxation skills with the dogs.
Suitable for: Adaptable for children 8 years to adults. Group sizes up to 30 participants
Friendly Paws – Diversity and inclusion
This single 1-2 hour session is based on engagement, group cohesion and inclusion. Children are provided with the opportunity to meet the dogs in small groups, developing an understanding of each dog’s own personality, strengths, preferences, learning style and family situation. After meeting all of the dogs, participants can engage in guided fun activities with the dogs such as tricks or games.
Suitable for: Adaptable for children and adolescents, ages 8 to 14 years. Group sizes up to 30 participants
Safe Paws – Dog safety
Suitable for early years, Kinder and Primary, this single 1-2 hour session is based on safe interactions with dogs, and understanding the differences between the school therapy dog and dogs in public settings. Children are taught how to safely ask, approach and greet a dog, and how to engage in mutually rewarding interactions
Suitable for: Adaptable for children ages 3 – 12 years. Groups up to 30 participants.
Comfort Paws – Social recreation or drop in
Containing a flexible mix of structured and/or unstructured activities, this service allows agencies to enjoy the benefits of having a therapy dog visit to provide comfort, social interaction, recreational activities and enjoyment to their clients, students or residents. Teams can provide informal visits or be in attendance in group areas. This service is also ideal for client or staff wellbeing events. Having therapy dog and handler teams at your event can help to motivate and engage your audience, whilst providing happiness, stress reduction and time out from everyday demands. Teams in attendance respond to the client needs on the day, and these programmes are not pre-planned or curriculum based.
Suitable for: Adaptable for all ages and abilities. Book per dog-handler team per hour. Recommend one team per 5 – 10 participants