In 2025, MacKillop Family Services will launch its first Paw Pals School Holiday Program in Ballarat; an expansion of the animal-assisted education initiative that has been quietly transforming the lives of students across Victoria since 2018.
The holiday program will complement Paw Pals’ existing school-based sessions by offering a more relaxed and engaging environment for students to continue developing emotional confidence, resilience and learning skills outside of the traditional classroom setting.
With growing rates of school refusal, classroom disruption, and learning challenges, particularly in the wake of COVID, this added layer of support is both timely and essential.
“We’re seeing young people struggling to stay engaged in the classroom, increasing diagnoses of ADHD, ADD, anxiety and intellectual disorders, and many still scrambling to catch up on learning lost due to COVID. The opportunity to support students in a less structured, therapeutic setting will be invaluable."
Kathleen Anderson
Ballarat PawPals Facilitator
Currently, Paw Pals operates group programs in schools for students in Years 3 to 8, designed to meet a range of learning and behavioural needs. Delivered in partnership with Catholic schools, government and independent schools, the program uses trained facilitators and therapy dogs to support engagement and wellbeing. In addition, one-on-one sessions are available for young people who benefit from more individualised care, particularly those experiencing social and emotional challenges, or living in foster care, out-of-home care, or at home in vulnerable circumstances.
Since launching Paw Pals in Ballarat in 2022, the program has been embraced by 17 schools and supported more than 150 students. It reflects MacKillop’s deep commitment to trauma-informed practice and its focus on helping young people remain connected to education and community. 
Nature's Symphony
CDF Relationship Managers Gerard and Maxine with PawPals facilitator Susan Podesta and Therapy Dog, Pebbles
Faces of Humanity
CDF Relationship Managers Gerard and Maxine with Mackillop Family Services CEO Dr.Robyn Miller and Diocese of Ballarat Foundation Executive Officer Ross Wheatlan at the 2025 PawPals Campaign Launch
CDF has been proud to support the Paw Pals program for the past four years, as part of a broader and long-standing partnership with MacKillop Family Services.
The 2025 School Holiday Program will be delivered with the support of CDF, Diocese of Ballarat Foundation and through the generosity of the community. It’s designed to further the benefits of the standard school program by creating a more playful, flexible setting where students can build self-confidence and develop the skills to work more independently.
To learn more or to support the 2025 Paw Pals Appeal, visit: give.mackillop.org.au/paw-pals-appeal-2025
To help CDF continue to meet strong loan demand from the Catholic community, you too can put your faith in action and save for a greater reward than money alone. Not only will you earn a competitive rate of interest, but your savings will assist initiatives like MacKillop Family Services Paw Pals, and other Catholic organisations to continue the work the Gospel calls on them to do. Learn more and apply today.
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