Animal Therapies Ltd

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Animal Therapies Ltd

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Advancing the understanding, acceptance & accessibility of animal-assisted services for those in need.
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Animal Therapies Ltd (ATL) connects those in need with animal-assisted services that may prevent or help manage disability, illness and suffering. This includes people at risk of, or who are, experiencing mental illness, eye disease, hearing impairment, seizures, asthma, life threatening allergies, diabetes, fluctuating blood pressure, cerebral palsy, autism, post traumatic stress, episodic or serious medical crises, disability, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury and other physical, neurological or psychological conditions.

06/11/2026

𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝟭 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽!

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗨𝗣 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗡!

If you can, why not join us tomorrow Saturday 7 November for a great afternoon of rugby and community spirit! And help raise funds to support Animal Therapies Ltd.

𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸, 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮
𝗞𝗢 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝟰𝗽𝗺

Come along from 2.30pm, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy an afternoon of great rugby and support us!

A huge thank you to Spartans Rugby Club - The military veterans rugby club the players, organisers and everyone involved for your generosity and ongoing support of Animal Therapies Ltd.

See you there!

05/11/2026

Researcher Spotlight - Melanie Jones

How can research help us deliver safe, ethical Animal-Assisted Services that support both people and animals?

Meet Melanie Jones, a psychologist, Animal-Assisted Therapist, professional dog trainer and founder of Lead the Way. Melanie brings together clinical practice, animal knowledge and research to help strengthen our sector. Research continues to inform us on how we need to adapt to better ways.

Her published research includes guidance on minimum standards for canine-assisted psychotherapy in adolescent mental health. Working with fellow researchers and an international expert panel, Melanie has explored the health, safety and animal wellbeing considerations involved in incorporating dogs into therapy. This includes recognising canine body language, monitoring wellbeing and responding to each dog’s individual needs.

At ATL, we believe animal wellbeing must be central to Animal-Assisted Services. Research like Melanie’s helps practitioners make informed decisions that support the people receiving services and the animals participating alongside them.

Explore Melanie’s profile in ATL’s Researcher Directory:
https://animaltherapies.org.au/research-directory/melanie-jones/

https://animaltherapies.org.au/research-directory/melanie-jones/

04/11/2026

Feeling safer, managing everyday activities and engaging with mental health treatment—these were some of the benefits reported in a University of Queensland study exploring life with a psychiatric assistance dog.

Researchers collected 85 valid responses through an online survey of people with a range of mental health conditions. Participants described support that extended beyond their dogs’ specific trained tasks. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov⁠)

However, participants also reported challenges, including stigma, misunderstanding of public access rights and financial costs. Many described relying heavily on their dog, raising questions about how to protect the wellbeing of both members of the partnership. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov⁠)

For ATL, the research reinforces the importance of supporting the whole partnership. Alongside recognising the assistance a dog provides, we must consider the dog’s needs, opportunities to rest and ongoing wellbeing, and ensure handlers have access to wider support.

The wellbeing of the person and the animal both matter.

Read the research by Zhang, Salmon and Pachana (2026):
Psychiatric Assistance Dogs for Adults with Mental Health Conditions: Use, Perceived Effectiveness and Challenges⁠

03/11/2026

Sometimes, the smallest animals leave the biggest mark on our lives.

Finding Happy is a documentary that begins with a tiny injured sparrow and a woman navigating a deeply difficult time.

When Maria Bertrand found the little bird during a morning run, she stopped to help. She named him Happy. As she cared for him, their connection became a source of comfort and hope in her own life.

Their story opens the door to a wider exploration of extraordinary human–animal relationships and the ways compassion can change lives.

This message is close to Animal Therapies Ltd heart. Animals can hold an important place in our lives—bringing connection, companionship and moments of joy when we need them most.

Finding Happy invites us to notice these relationships, value the animals who share our world, and consider how caring for another living being can also help us find our way forward.

Discover the story and film:
https://www.happythesparrow.com/

Has an animal helped you through a difficult time? We’d love to hear your story.

A little note about helping wild birds: A feathered young bird hopping on the ground may be a fledgling whose parents are still caring for it. Keep pets away and observe from a distance. A chick with few or no feathers needs help—return it to its nest if safe and possible, or contact your local wildlife rescue service. If a bird is injured, seek prompt advice from a wildlife rescuer or vet. Don’t offer food or water unless instructed, or attempt to raise it yourself.

02/11/2026

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.

Right now, people are waiting for animal-assisted mental health support. Animal Therapies Ltd urgently need funds to help them.

Giving monthly is an easy way to help someone access support sooner.

For as little as $25 a month, you can make a huge impact and change a life.

Give today. Thank you.
https://animalshelpinghumans.org.au/
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

02/11/2026

ATL Member Spotlight: Diona The Trainer is an Animal-Assisted Services Australia Professional Member.

Diona Chu VIC assesses and prepares dogs for work alongside therapists, teachers and practice owners in Melbourne, and online across Australia.

The service starts with a temperament assessment, then a workplace version of the PACE Program: the dog learns to settle, move and rest on cue-free routines so it can be present in a session without being managed.

Each placement leaves with a written letter of assessment, a risk register, a one-page workplace policy and a consent process, built on the Victorian Department of Education wellbeing-dog guidance.

Diona Chu holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and a Master of Teaching, is VIT registered, and has fifteen years across zoos, assistance dog programs and private practice. Her own dog Murphy is a certified assistance dog. Dogs in animal-assisted work are handled in line with the ATL Code of Conduct.

Find them in our ATL National Directory: https://animaltherapies.org.au/providers/diona-the-trainer/

Find a provider near you: https://animaltherapies.org.au

02/11/2026

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗨𝗣 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗡!

Join us on Saturday 7 November for a great afternoon of rugby, community spirit and a worthy cause!

And here's something special – the playing jerseys are going up for auction!
Your chance to bid on and own a limited-edition jersey worn in the 2026 Brett Forte Cup, with auction proceeds supporting Animal Therapies Ltd military veterans mental health outreach program.

𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸, 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮
𝗞𝗢 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝟰𝗽𝗺

Come along from 2.30pm, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy an afternoon of great rugby and support us!

A huge thank you to Spartans Rugby Club - The military veterans rugby club the players, organisers and everyone involved for your generosity and ongoing support of Animal Therapies Ltd.

See you there!

01/11/2026

ATL Member Spotlight: StableMinds Therapy and Counselling services is an Animal-Assisted Services Australia Professional Member.

Jodie Rielly offers equine assisted therapy and counselling, bringing together professional counselling support and the unique therapeutic presence of horses. Providing a safe compassionate and non-judgmental space where individuals can explore their emotions, develop self-awareness and self-regulation, build confidence and what work towards positive change. Through gentle purposeful interactions with horses, clients are supported to connect, reflect and grow at their own pace. StableMinds is committed to creating meaningful therapeutic experiences that support emotional wellbeing, resilience, balance and personal growth.

Find them in our ATL National Directory: https://animaltherapies.org.au/providers/stableminds-therapy-and-counselling-services/

Find a provider near you: https://animaltherapies.org.au

31/10/2026

In Australia, 2,425 men and boys died by su***de in 2025—almost seven every day, and approximately three in four su***de deaths. These latest ABS figures are preliminary and may be revised. (abs.gov.au⁠)

This Movember, check in on your mates, fathers, sons and brothers.

Behind every number is a person, a family and a community whose lives are changed forever.

This November, make time for a conversation. Call your mate. Spend time with your son. Ask your brother how he’s really going—and give him space to answer.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Listen without judgement, stay connected and offer to help them find support.

A walk, a cuppa or time together with an animal can create space to talk.

To every man and boy struggling: you matter, and you deserve support. You don’t have to face this alone.

For confidential crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14⁠, available 24/7.

To find an animal-assisted practitioner,
Visit: https://animaltherapies.org.au/

31/10/2026

Today, 31 October, we honour the Australian Light Horsemen and their horses who took part in the Battle of Beersheba in 1917.

As daylight faded, men of the 4th and 12th Light Horse regiments made a daring mounted charge against Ottoman defences in what was then Palestine, helping secure the town and its vital water supplies.

Behind this historic moment were people and horses facing extraordinary danger together. Today, we remember their courage, their service and the lives lost, and reflect on the enduring bond between humans and animals.

ATL recognise the many ways animals have supported people throughout history—and our responsibility to treat them with care and respect.

Lest we forget.

www.animaltherapies.org.au

Address

Willow Vale
Gold Coast, QLD
4209

Website

http://www.animaltherapies.org.au/

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