trainers & Presenters

Owner

Head Trainer

Psychologist (AHPRA)

PAAW Clinic Director (animal assisted therapy clinic)

Certified Dog Trainer (Cert 3 Dog Training & Behaviour)

TDA presenter and content development

Psychology Board approved supervisor (4+2 program)  STAP Accredited

Animal Therapies Ltd QLD State Committee

EAGALA trained

Samantha is a Psychologist and clinic director at Psychology & Animal Assisted Wellbeing, a clinic where therapists work with a therapy dog providing animal-assisted interventions. Sam works with her dogs (Sonny, Oliver & Nala) to provide  Animal Assisted Therapy for children, adolescents & adults.   

Samantha has experience working with therapy dogs across various settings, including schools, community mental health and private practice since 2013.   Samantha has spoken as several conferences on AAT topics, including the 50th Australian Psychological Conference in October 2015 and the Australia & New Zealand Psychiatrists Conference in Hobart in 2016. Samantha is also EAGALA trained (2018) and provides Equine Assisted Psychotherapy with her herd of 5 horses including two brumbies. 

Samantha is a qualified dog trainer (Certificate III in Dog Training & Behaviour - NDTF). 

Samantha also works alongside her 7 horses to provide psychology assisted by equines. Sam has a keen interest in the advocacy of Brumbies and their incorporation in to animal assisted services. 

 Psychologist (AHPRA) / Teacher (QLD College of Teachers)

Psychology Board approved supervisor (STAP accredited)

PhD Candidate with Monash University – researching effective implementation of therapy dog programs in schools. 

Animal Therapies Ltd QLD State Committee

Amy is an experienced Psychologist with a broad range of professional experience across a variety of complex clinical settings, including a high security correctional facility, Queensland Government disability services, an Australian off-shore asylum seeker processing centre, a private practice clinic and school environments. 

Broadening her studies to postgraduate teaching, Amy has attained further skills to support her work within schools which aligns with her special interest in working with adolescents and children.  In an effort to diversify her support services and with prior experience working as a veterinary nurse and wildlife carer, Amy recognised an opportunity to introduce therapy dogs to the school context and subsequently trained in Animal Assisted Therapy with her canine-assistants, Wilbur (Spoodle) and Lucy (Cavoodle). She provides individual, group and whole-school opportunities for engagement with her dogs and her Therapy Dog Program has been attributed to improving student attendance, counselling engagement and improved learning outcomes. 

As the Director and Lead Consultant with Therapy Dogs in Education, Amy has been responsible for successfully implementing Therapy Dog Programs within schools and providing specialist consultancy and support to schools Australia-wide. 

Amy is currently completing a PhD with Monash University to support the implementation of therapy dog programs within schools, with a particular focus on ensuring educational institutions plan to optimise student safety, program efficacy and animal welfare.

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Child and Adolescent Counsellor

Dog Trainer

TDA content development

Caitlin is a child and adolescent counsellor who works at the PAAW practice.She works primarily with young people with Autism, Depression, Anxiety and Trauma. Caitlin works with her Springer Spaniel, Willow.  

Psychologist (AHPRA)

Board Approved Supervisor

Assistant Trainer

TDA course presenter

Amy is a Psychologist and Animal Assisted Therapist at PAAW.

Amy became interested in AAT in 2015 and completed the TDA training with her family dog Lulu in 2016. From that time, Amy has continued to develop her passion and experience in this area, facilitating animal assisted group programs for children aged 4 years to 18 years old. 

Amy has since added two Golden Retrievers, Harvey and Lola, to her team for therapy work.  Amy attends obedience training with The Canine Classroom.
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