S4: E3 Starting An Animal-Assisted Activities Business.

This week on the Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast, Sam sits down with go-getter Bree Rooney to discuss various aspects of running an animal-assisted activities business, including strategies for starting and growing the business, understanding roles and responsibilities, and best practices for working with dogs in different settings. They also cover the operational aspects such as billing, client communication, and the importance of proper dog care. Please remember to subscribe, follow and like this podcast if you enjoy it, a good review will help us a lot too. Enjoy!

Bree's Book Recommendations:

The Invisible Leash, Willow The Therapy Dog, The Hospital Dog & The Detective Dog, Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog, Madeline Finn and the Rescue Dog, Be Happy and Dogs With Jobs 1 & 2.

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Interested in Animal-Assisted Therapy / Animal-Assisted Services and studying with Therapy Dogs Australia? Visit our website www.therapydog.com.au for more information or get in touch with us today by emailing info@therapydog.com.au and one of the Therapy Dogs Australia team will be there to help! Raise your future therapy dog with us!

Join our Juniors Mentoring program (puppy & adolescent programs available) and set you and your dog up for success by training the right foundations early, more info here: https://therapydog.com.au/juniors-mentoring-program

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therapy-dogs-australia/

#therapydog #therapydogsaustralia #animalassistedtherapy #animalassistedservices

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S4:E2 School Therapy Dog: Sage’s Impact & Setting Up for Success (Guest: Natalie Esterhuysen).

This week on the Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast, Sam and I are joined by Natalie who has a therapy dog named Sage. We cover the positive impact of Sage on students at their school, and strategies for managing Sage in such a busy environment. Natalie also shared her experience of introducing Sage into school, emphasizing the importance of thorough research, preparation, and community involvement. Please remember to subscribe, follow and like this podcast if you enjoy it, a good review will help us a lot too. Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBE!

Interested in Animal-Assisted Therapy / Animal-Assisted Services and studying with Therapy Dogs Australia? Visit our website www.therapydog.com.au for more information or get in touch with us today by emailing info@therapydog.com.au and one of the Therapy Dogs Australia team will be there to help!

Raise your future therapy dog with us! Join our Juniors Mentoring program (puppy & adolescent programs available) and set you and your dog up for success by training the right foundations early, more info here: https://therapydog.com.au/juniors-mentoring-program

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy_dogs_australia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapydogsaus/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyDogsAustralia/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therapy-dogs-australia/

#therapydog #therapydogsaustralia #animalassistedtherapy #animalassistedservices

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S4:E1 What's On In 2025 For Therapy Dogs Australia

Sam and Max chat about what 2025 might have in store, the heartbreak and healing that comes with losing a beloved pet, and, somehow, aliens and air fryers make their way into the conversation. We also share updates about our pets and some exciting plans for future podcast guests and topics. If you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to like, subscribe, follow, and leave us a glowing review! It helps us reach more people in the industry so we can all grow and develop together.

SUBSCRIBE!

Interested in Animal-Assisted Therapy / Animal-Assisted Services and studying with Therapy Dogs Australia? Visit our website www.therapydog.com.au for more information or get in touch with us today by emailing info@therapydog.com.au and one of the Therapy Dogs Australia team will be there to help!

Raise your future therapy dog with us! Join our Juniors Mentoring program (puppy & adolescent programs available) and set you and your dog up for success by training the right foundations early, more info here: https://therapydog.com.au/juniors-mentoring-program

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy_dogs_australia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapydogsaus/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyDogsAustralia/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therapy-dogs-australia/

#therapydog #therapydogsaustralia #animalassistedtherapy #animalassistedservices

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S3.E16 Sonny's Legacy

E16 Sonny's Legacy. Sonny, Sam's beloved therapy dog, crossed the rainbow bridge early on Monday morning, leaving behind a profound legacy, too great to put into words on the page. In today’s episode, Sam reflects on Sonny’s incredible career, from guiding her through her personal growth as a young adult, leading them into a caerer in animal-assisted therapy (before most people knew what that was), and inspiring the creation of Therapy Dogs Australia. Join us as we honor Sonny’s life and the countless lives he touched during his 11 years of therapy work.

SUBSCRIBE!

Interested in Animal-Assisted Therapy / Animal-Assisted Services and studying with Therapy Dogs Australia? Visit our website www.therapydog.com.au for more information or get in touch with us today by emailing info@therapydog.com.au and one of the Therapy Dogs Australia team will be there to help!

Raise your future therapy dog with us! Join our Juniors Mentoring program (puppy & adolescent programs available) and set you and your dog up for success by training the right foundations early, more info here: https://therapydog.com.au/juniors-mentoring-program

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy_dogs_australia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapydogsaus/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyDogsAustralia/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therapy-dogs-australia/

#therapydog #therapydogsaustralia #animalassistedtherapy #animalassistedservices

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S3:E15 Regulation In The Industry – Does It Exist?!

Welcome to the Therapy Dogs Australia podcast. In this episode, Sam and Amy dive into the pressing need for regulation and accountability in the animal-assisted therapy field. They unpack the risks involved, sharing insights on professional responsibility and the importance of setting standards to protect both clients and animals. The conversation also highlights issues around misrepresentation, where unqualified dogs are marketed as therapy animals, and why this misleads consumers and increases risk. Tune in as they discuss how industry standards can prevent harm and build trust in this growing field.

Trigger warning - Dog attack discussed in this podcast, with the outcome being a dog euthanised by police.

SUBSCRIBE!

Interested in Animal-Assisted Therapy / Animal-Assisted Services and studying with Therapy Dogs Australia? Visit our website www.therapydog.com.au for more information or get in touch with us today by emailing info@therapydog.com.au and one of the Therapy Dogs Australia team will be there to help! Raise your future therapy dog with us!

Join our Juniors Mentoring program (puppy & adolescent programs available) and set you and your dog up for success by training the right foundations early, more info here: https://therapydog.com.au/juniors-mentoring-program

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy_dogs_australia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapydogsaus/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyDogsAustralia/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therapy-dogs-australia/

#therapydog #therapydogsaustralia #animalassistedtherapy #animalassistedservices

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S3.E14 Pet First Aid (Guest: Dr. Olga Lynn)

Ready to learn pet first aid with Dr. Olga Lynn? Use this special discount code for 10% off: TDA10 Access the course here: https://drolgalynn.com.au/products/first-aid-course

This week on the Therapy Dogs Australia Podcast, Sam and I are joined by Dr. Olga Lynn, a veterinarian who created an Online Pet First Aid Course. We discuss recognizing early signs of illness in animals, balancing prompt action with a calm demeanor, and handling emergencies during Animal-Assisted Services. We also share personal experiences with pet emergencies, stress the importance of owner preparedness, and encourage proper animal care. Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBE!

Interested in Animal-Assisted Therapy / Animal-Assisted Services and studying with Therapy Dogs Australia? Visit our website www.therapydog.com.au for more information or get in touch with us today by emailing info@therapydog.com.au and one of the Therapy Dogs Australia team will be there to help!

Raise your future therapy dog with us! Join our Juniors Mentoring program (puppy & adolescent programs available) and set you and your dog up for success by training the right foundations early, more info here: https://therapydog.com.au/juniors-mentoring-program

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy_dogs_australia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapydogsaus/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyDogsAustralia/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therapy-dogs-australia/

#therapydog #therapydogsaustralia #animalassistedtherapy #animalassistedservices

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S3:E13 Navigating NDIS - Third Parties, Animal ASSISTED Therapy vs 'Animal Therapy'

Quick recap

Sam discusses the complexities of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and its impact on therapy sessions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the distinction between animal therapy and animal-assisted therapy. She also clarifies the role of tools and objects in therapy sessions, and the use of animal experiences in therapy, arguing that therapists should (and do) have the autonomy to use evidence-based tools without interference from the NDIS. Lastly, she shares her experiences with therapy dogs in psychology and allied health settings, and emphasises the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and correct documentation of therapy sessions involving animal-assisted therapy.

Key Points

• Allied health professionals to ensure their case notes and reports focus on evidence-based interventions rather than overemphasizing animal interactions.

• Practitioners to include a separate section in case notes for animal-assisted therapy observations, without drawing clinical conclusions solely from animal interactions.

• Clinicians to document how animal presence does not detract from providing professional services in their notes.

• Therapy dog handlers to be prepared to justify the expense and value of animal-assisted therapy tools if questioned by third-party payers.

• Animal-assisted therapy practitioners to collaborate on risk management strategies in preparation for potential future regulatory challenges.

Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBE!

Interested in Animal-Assisted Therapy / Animal-Assisted Services and studying with Therapy Dogs Australia? Visit our website www.therapydog.com.au for more information or get in touch with us today by emailing info@therapydog.com.au and one of the Therapy Dogs Australia team will be there to help!

Raise your future therapy dog with us! Join our Juniors Mentoring program (puppy & adolescent programs available) and set you and your dog up for success by training the right foundations early, more info here: https://therapydog.com.au/juniors-mentoring-program

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy_dogs_australia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapydogsaus/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyDogsAustralia/featured

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therapy-dogs-australia/

#therapydog #therapydogsaustralia #animalassistedtherapy #animalassistedservices

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S3:E12 Sam's Podcast Recommendations.

See below the podcast/episodes recommended by Sam!

Canine Paradigm: https://thecanineparadigm.com/ - Episode 275 Sam's Interview Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3UNthf2HXN7JYogDuu9ua7?si=y3CVGikIQlyji4Woa4Fzfw - Episode 276 Sam's Interview Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/16322snDELZESZOFJiYWDn?si=xxIdGJLQSSWRl6SVsVF8bQ - Episode 284: Homeostasis of the brain with Dr. Melanie Uhde: https://open.spotify.com/episode/21mtdAnjFNVOg9y0p3Lmv0?si=BYuiaYcbSt6CnPh90h2e4g

Dr Melanie @caninedecoded on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caninedecoded?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Podcast: Life with your dog: https://www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com/ Sam's interview Ep 216: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sH50CPdC4nqHr8DEbRC0c?si=lFmY50QQQZOuPEd1sy8--w

Podcast: Caffeine and Canines Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4utuPinsYIPCqAw10AD6xy?si=0f50ab2b21154767

Run by Yorkshire canine academy on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yorkshire_canine_academy?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== - Episode 32 Nicole Vignola- Using Neuroscience To Help You, Help Your Dog: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0OBu66TVfoPiG6NCX0uNj9?si=3N6L9H-5Thm23No7OZHyHg - Episode 28 Canine Decoded- Is Stress Killing Your Dog?: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vjl1LUBA7TJSJ12ZhRouK?si=8bJG_kYMQiWAFPNWTaZebQ

Podcast: Natural health for people and pets podcast with Narelle Cooke: https://open.spotify.com/show/10qQsWBKcGKZ08zbQmUXbg?si=33f45d8e8b2948ff SUBSCRIBE!

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