Nat O Neill

Think Kind, Australia

Title: An Australian school’s unique approach to student wellbeing using an occupational therapist and therapy dog

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Biography

Nat O’Neill is a senior occupational therapist from Western Australia with a background in animal assisted therapy. Nat spent many years working in paediatric clinics before pursuing a pilot role in a Perth primary school to use her expertise and therapy dog to improve student mental health and wellbeing. Nat is a fundamental part of the school’s student services team and works collaboratively with the school psychologist. She provides whole class social and emotional lessons as well as targeted small groups. Nat works closely with students who struggle with high anxiety, poor mental health and difficulty attending school. Her goal is for every child to have a positive school narrative. Nat has presented multiple times at the National Occupational Therapy Conference and for OT Australia. She volunteers with her therapy dog for Lionheart, a not-for-profit organisation providing specialised grief support for children who have had a parent or sibling die.

Abstract

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, one in six children experience poor mental health. Childhood is a critical period for social and emotional development and schools are the ideal setting for explicit teaching of these skills. In recent years, schools are placing equal importance on both academic performance as well as student mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that dogs in school settings can improve student wellbeing and reduce anxiety. Research also shows that simply having a dog present at a school is not as effective as having a health professional incorporate it therapeutically. Wembley Primary School received a wellbeing grant and chose to trial a unique approach to student mental health and wellbeing. They employed an occupational therapist (OT) and therapy dog to teach whole class social and emotional lessons and provide specialized support for children with mental health challenges. This pilot role has evolved into a very unique school wellbeing program. The OT works within the student services team and the majority of referrals for individual support involve mental health concerns. The OT uses the therapy dog to build rapport and provide a safe and non-judgmental environment for therapeutic interventions. It is unique in a school setting to complete a suicide risk assessment with a child who is able to calmly and gently stroke a familiar dog they have a developed a deep connection with. The OT also supports teachers who observe classroom social and emotional lessons. The OT program targets pre-primary through to year 3 with an emphasis on empathy, theory of mind, positive self-talk, thinking errors and friendships. The school has boldly and successfully implemented this innovative approach to student mental health and wellbeing. Local universities are now partnering with the school for further research into this unique program.