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)
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.
Grant is currently working on a research partnership with Latrobe University to contribute to the growing evidence supporting the use of dogs as learning support in school settings.
Steve
B.A., Dip.Ed, GradDipPsych
Steve has worked as an English teacher and in school management for 15 years. Dogs Connect arrived at his school, Bendigo South East College in 2019. Steve instantly put his hand up to become involved in the program.
His involvement with Dogs Connect led him to start working for Dogs Connect as a facilitator in schools and workplaces. It has even inspired further interest in mental health and psychology, and he has recently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology through Monash.
Steve is excited by the potential of training companion dogs to enhance life learning in schools. He combines his teaching experience with his passion for student wellbeing to support the implementation of the Dogs Connect Program.
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.
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.
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.
Bingo
Student and teacher
Bingo is the new kid (a.k.a student, teacher and dog) on the block. She is in the middle of her wellbeing dog training, learning how to behave appropriately in all school situations and will be graduating soon.