Our wellbeing team.
Our wellbeing team are experienced in education, psychology, counselling and of course dogs. Our programs help improve culture, mental health and wellbeing by restoring social and emotional balance in your community. We are at the forefront of knowledge about the impact wellbeing dogs can have on your community.
Grant
B.Ed, M.Ed (App. Learning), M.Ed (Student Wellbeing)
IAABC CDT (Certified Dog Trainer)
During his ten-year teaching career, Grant recognised that his students needed more from traditional education. He decided to create a program to help students feel more connected and engaged in their school environment.
Grant’s great passion for education has driven him to research the benefits of training wellbeing dogs for the classroom. He willingly shares his knowledge and scientific evidence, teaching students and staff how to build emotional intelligence and resilience. Many schools are now witnessing first-hand the impact the program is having on academic outcomes.
Trent
B.P&HEd (Bachelor of Physical and Health Education)
Trent has worked in Education for 8 years. He has worked in Primary Schools in the Bendigo Region. He has coordinated the Dogs Connect Program in his school and has seen first-hand the positive impact dogs have had on his students and colleagues.
Trent is passionate about health and wellbeing. He loves working with dogs, including his own Groodle ‘Betty’.
Trent supports schools in aligning with the required processess and helps them implement the program in a way that is specific to their actual community.
Drew
B.Bus, DipEd, Cert 3 in Dog Behaviour & Training, Cert 4 Training & Assessment
After over ten years as a primary school teacher, Drew became a certified dog behaviour trainer.
Working initially at the RSPCA as a Behaviourist assessing dogs for rehoming as well as running training classes at all levels, he then led the Puppy Development Department at Guide Dogs Victoria, overseeing the early development of puppies to become future Guide Dogs for vision impaired clients.
Drew has a passion for dog behaviour and learning and how dogs can assist in the wellbeing of students and staff in the school setting, which has led him to joining Dogs Connect. Drew supports schools with behaviour consults on all levels as well as coaching through through the process of implementing the Dogs Connect Program.
Jodi
Client Support Coordinator
Jodi has experience in many industries, and one of her many strengths is relating to people and finding ways to support them. She has a natural ability with dogs and is a born nature lover who learns with an open mind.
As our Client Support Coordinator, Jodi is across every aspect of the daily running of Dogs Connect. She is the first point of support throughout your Dogs Connect journey.
Leanne
Enrolment and Accreditation Division
Coming from a corporate background in banking and insurance industries, Leanne brings a strong knowledge of business systems, relationship management and administrative support.
Her role focuses on enrolling all students into our online courses and guiding schools to achieve accreditation with Dogs Connect.
Amanda
BA (Psych. Soc), MSW.
Amanda has more than 25 years of experience working as a counsellor in both community and education contexts. She is passionate about all things wellbeing and values strengths-based, trauma-informed practices. Her positive psychology work helps us establish partnerships, develop resources and deliver our programs.
Amanda shares a strong interest in staff wellbeing and holistic approaches in building capacity, connection and resilience. Seeing the profound impact of this program in improving wellbeing gives her absolute joy.
Sonny
Student and teacher
Sonny is a Labradoodle and has been working in schools since he was eight weeks old. He has been trained to behave appropriately in a range of settings and works as a teaching facilitator, as well as a student.
Sonny’s job is to demonstrate a range of examples of how a dog can be used in communities to improve the culture and emotional wellbeing.
Sonny is not a school pet. He is a wellbeing dog trainer and learning facilitator, who also happens to love fetching balls.
Jack
Student and teacher
Jack’s job is to demonstrate a range of examples of how a dog can be used in communities to improve the culture and emotional wellbeing.
Jack is also not a school pet. He is a wellbeing dog trainer and learning facilitator, who also happens to love fetching balls.