Lead The Way

03/09/2026

Tonight in our Introductory training class, we're workshopping separation confidence - and it's a skill we believe is important for every dog, not just those already showing signs of separation anxiety.

Separation confidence is a dog's ability to feel safe, settled and comfortable when they're away from their owner or handler.

For therapy dogs, this is particularly important.

The nature of therapy work often means our dogs spend a LOT of time with us. Over time, this can sometimes create dependence if we aren't also actively giving them opportunities to practise being apart.

And there will be times when a working therapy dog needs to settle independently. Perhaps on their bed, in a crate or safely in another area of the workplace, while their handler attends to something else.

We want them to be able to do that without distress.

Building separation confidence is part of developing the calm, adaptable temperament we're looking for in therapy work. More importantly, it supports the dog's emotional wellbeing and gives them the confidence to cope with different situations throughout their life.

So you don't need to wait until your dog is vocalising, pacing, escaping, becoming destructive or showing other signs of distress before working on it.

Confidence is something we can build before there's a problem. 💙

🐾 Introductory Training Class
Tonight | 6:30–7:30pm at the training centre

Come along and we'll workshop practical ways you can start building healthy separation confidence with your dog.

31/08/2026

What actually happens at Re-certification? 🐾

Re-certification isn't about coming back once a year to tick a few boxes.

It's an opportunity to really check in and ask: How are we working together now?

Throughout the day, teams work through a range of exercises and real-world scenarios. Our trainers are looking at how reliably your dog responds to you, particularly when distractions are present, and how clearly and consistently you're communicating with each other.

We're also watching your dog.

Are they comfortable? Engaged? Sociable? Are they genuinely enjoying interacting with people and participating in the work? Are there subtle signs of stress or changes in behaviour that we need to pay attention to?

And we're certainly not looking for perfection.

Dogs make mistakes. What matters is how you respond when they do. Can you recognise what's happening, communicate clearly and help your dog understand what's expected?

Teams also head out to a local community centre, giving our trainers an opportunity to see you working together in a real-world environment.

Re-certification helps maintain the standards expected of therapy dog teams and supports graduates to remain current with relevant workplace and insurance requirements. But its value goes well beyond compliance.

It's a chance to ask questions, workshop those little things you've noticed, connect with other professionals and continue developing as a team - always keeping your dog's welfare at the forefront.

Because we don't want you to simply certify and stay where you are.

We want you to keep learning. Keep checking in. Keep progressing. 💙

You'll also receive 12 months' access to current course materials, our Community of Practice group and graduate resources, so the learning continues well beyond Assessment Day.

🐾 Next Certification Assessment: Monday 7th September

Secure your spot here👇 https://leadthewayinstitute.thinkific.com/products/courses/certification-assessment-2026

28/08/2026

Ending the week with a smile this big?

Happy Friday 😁🐾

27/08/2026

The team at Lead The Way brings together a wealth of experience, knowledge and a shared passion for animal-assisted services. Each person has their own story, their own journey and their own reason for doing what they do.

Meet Jodee!

Jodee joined Lead The Way in 2023 and works with us as a counsellor and facilitator of our group programmes.

Her journey with dogs began with her Kelpie, Gemma, in 2018. Learning more about dog training and behaviour sparked a fascination with the way dogs communicate, connect and positively impact the people around them.

With more than 25 years' experience supporting people, including work in homelessness services, disability support and counselling, Animal Assisted Therapy became a natural way for Jodee to bring together two things she cares deeply about - supporting people and the human-animal bond.

Today, Jodee works alongside therapy dogs Ranger, a playful and clever Australian Kelpie, and Ziva, a gentle Labrador × Golden Retriever. Together they support counselling sessions, school programmes and wellbeing activities.

Outside of work, you'll most likely find Jodee enjoying a long walk in nature with her dogs, spending time with family and friends, or supporting animals through her involvement in rescue 🌿🐕

We're so glad to have Jodee as part of the Lead The Way team 💙

25/08/2026

It's easy to let annual recertification slip - particularly when you and your dog are out there doing amazing work together 💗

But recertification is an important opportunity to make sure you continue to meet the expected standards and to identify any changes that may have occurred over the past 12 months.

Dogs change. Workplaces change. The demands placed on our therapy dogs can change too.

Regular assessment gives us an opportunity to notice the little things early, address any areas that need support and make sure both handler and dog continue to feel comfortable and capable in their work.

It also helps teams remain up to date with certification requirements, alongside checking any requirements of their workplace, professional body or insurer.

Our next Certification Assessment Day is Monday 7th September, with only one further assessment date remaining in 2026.

If your annual re-certification is due — or overdue — now is a good time to put it front and centre!

Book here 👉 https://leadthewayinstitute.thinkific.com/products/courses/certification-assessment-2026

21/08/2026

If you’re working in mental health with children and young people, this is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to research in the animal-assisted therapy field. 🐾

Whether you currently work alongside a therapy dog, have in the past, or have chosen not to, your perspective is valuable.

If you’re eligible, we’d encourage you to take part, and help build the evidence base that informs this growing field.

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS WANTED

Animal Therapies Ltd is pleased to share a CQUniversity research opportunity exploring mental health professionals’ perspectives on working alongside therapy dogs in therapy with children aged 4–17.

The researcher is seeking registered or provisionally registered clinicians from all relevant disciplines, including:

• Psychologists
• Counsellors
• Accredited Mental Health Social Workers
• Mental Health Occupational Therapists
• Mental Health Nurses
• Psychotherapists
• Other professionals providing therapeutic support to children

You are invited to participate whether you currently incorporate therapy dogs into your practice, have done so previously, are considering it, or choose not to use them. All perspectives are valuable.

The anonymous online survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete.

Participate here:
https://cqu.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8fdRuda9CVoIzNI

This research is being conducted by Sophie Edwards, BPsychSc (Hons) Student at CQUniversity, and has received CQUniversity Human Research Ethics Committee approval (Approval #2026-032).

Please share this opportunity with eligible mental health professionals in your networks.

19/08/2026

Over the coming weeks, we'd love to introduce you to the people behind Lead The Way 🐾

Our team brings together a wealth of experience, knowledge and a shared passion for animal-assisted services. Each person has their own story, their own journey and their own reason for doing what they do.

First up is Carolyn!

Carolyn always knew she wanted to work with animals and, after having her own dog trained in 2002, discovered the world of dog training. More than two decades later, she still loves helping people and their dogs build strong, positive relationships.

Carolyn joined Lead The Way in March 2025 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our training programmes.

She's currently training Raven, a Kelpie × Golden Retriever rescue through the therapy dog pathway. Raven is showing lots of potential and, like every prospective therapy dog, is being given the opportunity to show whether this role is the right fit for her.

Outside of work, you'll most likely find Carolyn on a mountain somewhere! Hiking is one of her greatest passions, along with long walks with her own dogs 🥾🐕

We're so glad to have Carolyn on the team and look forward to introducing you to more of the people behind Lead The Way soon 💙

17/08/2026

Sometimes it’s the smallest moments that create the biggest smiles.

A connection. A shared moment. A little bit of joy.

A lovely reminder to start the week looking for the moments that matter 🐾💙

14/08/2026

More research helping us understand the incredible human–animal connection. 🐾💙

We love seeing the evidence continue to grow around the ways animals can support our emotional wellbeing — and the importance of thoughtful, ethical and evidence-informed practice when incorporating animals into professional services.

Recent research published in Frontiers in Psychology provides further insight into the positive role companion animals can play in our everyday emotional wellbeing.

Using real-time assessments throughout the day, researchers found that interacting with a companion animal was associated with:
• Increased positive emotions
• Reduced negative emotions
• Improved moment-to-moment emotional wellbeing

Interestingly, the study did not find evidence that companion animals “buffer” the effects of stressful events. Instead, the findings suggest that the emotional benefits arise from the interaction itself, rather than preventing stress from affecting us.

The researchers also observed some differences between dogs and cats, highlighting that the human-animal relationship is complex and may vary depending on the species.

For Animal Therapies Ltd, these findings reinforce an important message.

While simply spending time with animals can support emotional wellbeing, professionally delivered animal-assisted services involve much more than the presence of an animal.

The strongest evidence continues to support animals being intentionally incorporated into evidence-based practice by appropriately qualified professionals, with careful consideration of animal welfare, suitability, and ethical practice.

Every new study helps us better understand how and why animals positively influence people—and strengthens the evidence base for integrating animals into professional health, education and human services.

Read the full open-access study here:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1768288/full

13/08/2026

Mentoring is on tonight! 🐾

Join us this evening for another practical night of learning, discussion and real-world application.

6:30pm – Understanding Temperament Suitability & Goodness of Fit for Therapy Dogs
7:30pm – Formal Cues & Their Application to Client Goals

Come along, ask questions, practise your skills and keep building confidence in your work with your dog.

We’d love to see you there! 💙

Bookings essential. Contact us for more info.