Paws and Thrive

01/09/2026

I’m not sure the NDIA are being transparent here. I have serious concerns about this new bill and the detrimental consequences this will have for participants. My question to the NDIA…

How can the changes not affect assistive technology (AT) if social and community participation and capacity building funding are being cut? These cuts not only reduce participants’ access to community engagement directly, but also significantly reduce participants’ access to quality AT assessment that demonstrate benefits and how they meet the reasonable and necessary criteria. How can they demonstrate cost saving or negotiate any potential cost saving if their social and community funding is already reduced and they have minimal supports to begin with and may need this for essential support that AT cannot provide. This is the hidden barrier for participants that will result in fewer and fewer applications meeting funding eligibility criteria and increased risks to participants long term.

01/09/2026

I am honoured to be the keynote speaker at this year’s WAOTA OT Week Breakfast on October 30th. I am passionate about partnering with animals and can’t wait to share my journey and inspire other OTs to consider and incorporate animals (including pets) into their practice. I hope to see you there.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DrJfhL3Q4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

30/08/2026

Animals are sentient beings. When an animal is introduced into a therapeutic role, it is imperative that their needs, welfare and wellbeing are equally considered, monitored and managed. These are carefully assessed prior to animal- assisted therapy and part of suitability for partnering with an assistance animal.

I would like to see changes in the way we talk about these animals as ‘serving us, working/ doing things/ performing for us and being controlled or handled by us’.

Let’s focus on changing the way we speak about these animals (even our pets) and honour their unique influence and capacity to heal us and teach us to live a more mindful, connected, purposeful and enjoyable life. We can do this by working with, partnering with, connecting with, regulating with and learning from them as a team with equal needs and rights. They deserve our respect and in return, we can achieve great things together that weren’t possible without them.

04/08/2026

Paws and Thrive are passionate about animals as well as their human partners. We have been busy working behind the scenes. We have signed the IAHAIO ‘Declaration of Animal Sentience’ and committed to advocating for the rights of animals as equal partnerships within animal-assisted services including assistance animal teams. We are working towards improving our practices and expanding our service to support, not only our clients but also providing consultancy for clinicians working with individuals living with disability who may benefit from accessing human-animal connections and partnering with animals. Our OT, Nicole Sanders is in the process of completing a Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training (assistance animal specialisation) to have a greater understanding of the animal at the other end if the leash and ensure a higher standard of consideration for long term animal welfare and sentience is incorporated into both animal- assisted therapy provision and during the assessment for assistance animal suitability.

25/07/2026

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20/05/2026

🐾 We are so proud and feel privileged to support NDIS participants throughout Australia who are seeking funding for an assistance animal. 🦮

We do this by working together with participants and their local supports/ providers to collate information and evidence that demonstrates how the reasonable and necessary funding criteria are met. 🔎📋☑️ 🎯

We have mapped out some of our participants’ locations since we started Paws and Thrive back in 2023. 🇦🇺

Thank you to each and every one of you who have put your trust in us over the years. 🫶🏼

We enjoy learning about new places across Australia with each new participant and will keep updating this map now and again to add others. 🐕‍🦺

18/05/2026

Anyone seeking an assistance animal will know I am a big advocate for engaging in animal-assisted services first. Animal Therapies Ltd are a great place to start to help you find the right provider who works in your area.

Looking for an animal-assisted service provider? ATL proudly hosts Australia’s largest directory of animal-assisted practitioners, helping individuals, families, organisations, schools, allied health professionals, and communities connect with qualified and ethical providers across the country.

Whether you’re searching for support in:
🐴 Equine-assisted services
🐶 Animal-assisted therapy
🧠 Mental health & wellbeing
🌱 Personal development
🎓 Learning support
♿ Disability support
❤️ Trauma-informed services

…our National Directory makes it easy to find a practitioner that suits your needs.

All ATL Professional Members agree to uphold our:
✔ Code of Ethics
✔ Code of Conduct
✔ Professional Membership standards

Search the ATL National Directory today:
https://animaltherapies.org.au/providers/

Together, we are strengthening trust, professionalism, and best practice in animal-assisted services across Australia.

17/04/2026

Assistance animals and their handlers have legal rights to access public places within their community and go about their day without discrimination or unwanted interruptions. Well-meaning questions, inappropriate patting as well as poorly handled interactions and entry refusals can be confronting and distressing to handlers. As members of the community, we need to be informed about the role we play. However, if assistance animals are not demonstrating good behaviours and hygiene requirements for public access, handlers can be questioned or refused entry. If unsure, please familiarise yourself with how to manage this politely and respectfully. Unfortunately there are handlers who say their uncertified dogs are assistance animals and poorly trained animals can discredit those who are certified. Knowing how to handle these interactions is everyone’s responsibility. 😃🐾

Clear, respectful interactions with assistance animals start with understanding what matters most.

It’s not about paperwork or appearance — it’s about behaviour, control, and the working relationship between the animal and their handler.

If you’re ever unsure, ask politely and only when necessary. Keep questions focused on the animal’s role — not the person’s disability.

Small shifts in how we approach these interactions can make a big difference in creating inclusive, respectful spaces for everyone.