Paw Pause

21/07/2025

Sessions available for Term 3! Please contact us with any enquiries🐾

20/07/2025

“The three ponies of Polyvagal Theory:

🖤 Fight-or-Flight Pony – jumpy, twitchy, ready to bolt because someone looked at them funny. Will probably scream if you drop a spoon.
(Yes, this is why you couldn't reply to that text. Or got irrationally angry at the slow WiFi.)

🤍 Safe and Social Pony – this pony is vibing. Makes eye contact. Can handle a chat. Will help you carry your emotional bags AND make you a cuppa.
(This is the version of you that’s brushing your horse, laughing with a mate, and actually responding to emails.)

🤎 Shutdown Pony – she’s DONE. Over it. Can’t even. Has entered energy-saving mode like an old laptop.
(Not lazy. Not rude. Just nervous system: unplugged.)

💡Polyvagal Theory says:
You’re not broken.
You’re not overreacting.
Your body is just trying to protect you — sometimes in ways that feel ridiculous (but make total sense underneath).”



Post credit: Equimotional - Trauma-Informed Training & Resource Hub

15/07/2025

In March this year, the NDIA updated their "assistive technology" page on the NDIS website. While the term "assistive technologies" are usually used to reference assistance animals it appears that the NDIS have included some explanatory notes around animal-assisted therapy which can be read here:

https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/would-we-fund-it/assistive-technologies/therapy-animals

ATL is currently drafting a submission to the DSS to remove “animal therapy”off the outlist and ensure that the correct terminology is embedded into future legislation.

The submission aims at ensuring that animal-assisted services designed to meet the goals of participants in accordance with the participants NDIS plan, delivered by professions listed in the PAPL are approved.

30/06/2025

Animal-Assisted Learning (AAL) is a teaching approach that includes trained animals—like dogs, horses, or even rabbits—as part of the training process to support peoples’ learning and development.

The benefits include;

Enhances Learning
Boosts Engagement: Animals make learning more interactive and enjoyable, especially for students who struggle with traditional classroom settings.

Improves Focus: The calming presence of animals can reduce stress and help clients concentrate better on tasks.

Builds Confidence: Reading aloud to a dog, for example, can be less intimidating than reading to a teacher or peers.

Develops Social Skills: Students learn empathy, patience, and cooperation through their interactions with animals and others.

📚 Common Settings

Schools: Often in reading programs or special education.

Therapeutic Environments: For students with emotional or behavioral challenges.

Equine-Assisted Learning: Includes horses to teach leadership, communication, and self-regulation.

18/06/2025

I’m feeling pretty vulnerable sharing this one but it’s important! The latest Paw Pause blog is all about how we started - and how my own lived experience of disability informs the high standards our teams have when we support our clients as we work in schools.

https://pawpause.com.au/blog/supporting-clients-with-puppy-power/

Image description: the backlit faces of Niki and golden retriever Ed sitting outside. They both look happy and are wearing their Paw Pause uniforms

01/06/2025

Paw Pause are members of ATL, and work with students in schools, across Adelaide.
Contact us with any questions you may have around our process or bookings 🐾

www.pawpause.com.au

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/animal-therapies-ltd_what-is-animal-assisted-therapy-disability-activity-7334720247519657984-9Csw?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAC3FkjIB49U6B6yqTgGg1MDMmzz-hDE-EEo&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=facebook

Another reason why Animal-Assisted Services Australia Professional Membership with Animal Therapies Ltd (ATL) is inportant. https://lnkd.in/gAmXcFDY

28/05/2025

😂🐾

28/05/2025

05/05/2025

🐾

🐾✨ It’s easy to see why people love the idea of a dog in a therapy room. Dogs bring comfort, connection, and joy — but when it comes to Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), it’s important to know that true therapeutic work alongside animals involves much more than simply having a dog present.

This week I was reminded again that there continues to be dogs included in therapy sessions that are not trained, certified, or working under best-practice ethical guidelines. While many practitioners have good intentions, the risks — to clients, to the animals involved, and to the broader integrity of our field — are real when AAT is misunderstood or misapplied.

🐶 Ethical AAT requires specialised training, certification, and an ongoing commitment to the welfare of both the animal and the client. It is not enough for a dog to be 'friendly' or 'well-behaved.' True AAT dogs are highly trained, carefully selected, and most importantly, work exclusively alongside their own dedicated and certified handlers — not passed between unfamiliar humans, environments, or workloads.

When dogs are overworked, poorly matched, or handled by those without appropriate training, the risk of emotional stress, burnout, behavioural issues, and safety concerns rises dramatically — for both the dog and the clients engaging with them.

🐾 Animals are not "tools" in therapy. They are sentient beings with rights, needs, and vulnerabilities of their own — and their well-being must be respected at all times.

If you're considering AAT for yourself or someone you care about, here are a few important questions to ask your therapist:

🔎 What training have you completed in Animal-Assisted Therapy?

🔎 Is your dog certified to work in therapeutic environments?

🔎 Are you and your dog registered or affiliated with a professional governing body, such as Animal Therapies Ltd (ATL)?

🔎 How is the dog's welfare prioritised during and outside of sessions?

✅ Look for therapists who are certified, professionally trained, and committed to ethical practice through recognised organisations like ATL.

Remember:
✨ A dog in the room is beautiful.
✨ A trained AAT partnership is powerful, ethical, and fosters true healing in those we work with.

Let’s continue advocating for the safety, welfare, and dignity of both our clients and our animals. 🤍

04/05/2025

A fantastic day 🌟

26/03/2025