Paw Pals Program Facilitator

Job Description

About the role: The Paw Pals program focuses on building student engagement, social and emotional wellbeing, and learner confidence through animal-assisted educational-based activities. Our Paw Pals program, delivered by trained facilitators alongside our trained therapy dogs, offers a planned and structured Animal Assisted Educational (AAE) intervention with specific academic and educational goals. This position is situated within the MacKillop Education and Engagement Team and located in the Loddon/Mallee Region. The position will report to the Paw Pals Operations Coordinator. This is a Part-Time Fixed Term (11.4 hours per week - 0.3 EFT until 16/01/2026) opportunity based in Bendigo within our MacKillop Education and Engagement Programs/Paw Pals Program. Key selection criteria The incumbent will have: A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people, and their families. Experience working with a therapy dog, preferably in an educational setting. Relevant qualification and experience in working with animal-assisted therapies, as well as owning a qualified therapy dog with current certification and the capacity to undertake direct work with students. Experience working with children and young people who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education and an understanding of how trauma impacts learning. Passion for supporting the holistic development of students through animal-assisted interventions. You must have a: Valid and current Driver’s Licence; Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop); Valid Employee Working with Children Check; Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk assessed/client-facing roles). MacKillop can assist successful candidates with their application. Our Commitment: MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age. It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible. Child Safe Standards MacKillop Education and Engagement Programs are committed to providing child-safe environments. Our programs actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all participants, and all staff are dedicated to protecting individuals from abuse or harm, in line with legal obligations, including adherence to child safe standards. #J-18808-Ljbffr