Paws the Pressure

 

Would you like a Delta therapy dog to visit your workplace or campus? 

 

Our Paws the Pressure program brings dedicated Delta Therapy Dog Teams to visit offices, organisations and tertiary institutions, in-person and online.

 

A Delta Therapy Dog visit has shown social, emotional, and physiological benefits on health. Our Paws the Pressure program brings Delta Therapy Dog teams to your workplace, school or online meeting to help reduce stress and improve staff and student morale.  We have found staff and students enjoy coming together over a positive interaction that involves a friendly paw-shake and chat with our Delta volunteers. 

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We know that helping staff and students during uncertain times is integral to managing the pressures of returning to work in a new COVID-19 safe way of life. It's important to know that we have equipped our Delta Therapy Dog teams to adapt to the needs of the community and all Public Health Orders.

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Paws the Pressure visits benefit individuals and diverse groups, including students, corporate teams, front line service providers, and not-for-profit workers. 

 

Paws the Pressure therapy dog visits can be tailored to coincide with:

  • A period of organisational change;

  • Team-building sessions or a relaxed morning tea;

  • Health and well-being days or mental health awareness initiatives ;

  • Student orientation or exam weeks .

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Your Paws the Pressure visit helps others.

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In addition to meeting a friendly Delta Therapy Dog, proceeds from Paws the Pressure visits help us to continue our mission of helping animals bring joy through our Therapy Dog Program in hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health facilities, palliative care, disability services, correctional facilities and schools. 

 

Paws the Pressure provides a unique, evidenced-based well-being experience that creates “the best day ever” while helping those who need it most.

 

Duration

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Your organisation can book an in-person visit for up to 90 minutes or an online visit through video conferencing for up to 30 minutes.  The number of Delta Therapy Dog Teams on a visit will vary depending on the size of your event and team availability.

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In-person visits can be booked: 

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  • as one-off visits for a particular event such as an RU OK? Day tea; 

  • as a package of four or more visits for a particular season such as Mental Health Month; 

  • as a yearly contract with one visit per month.

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Fee Structure 

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A 30-minute virtual visit cost $300 + GST and a 90-minute in-person visit costs $900 + GST, with a reduced rate when booking four or more visits.  Visits are invoiced after the visit and there is no cancellation fee, though we appreciate as much notice as possible. 
 
Discounts for in-person visits are available for not-for-profit organisations and small businesses as our way of giving back to the community and fulfilling our mission of helping animals give joy to people.

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To start planning this unique wellbeing opportunity for your school or workplace, click on the “Request a Paws the Pressure visit” banner or contact a member of the team .

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 (02) 9575 4198

paws@deltasociety.com.au

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Testimonials

"We had PAWS come for R U OK? Day as a way to alleviate stress in a very high performing environment. I was blown away by the welcome the dogs got - over 200 people came to meet the dogs. Everyone was raving. I've had multiple requests for repeat visits already." 

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Price Waterhouse Coopers

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use Delta Therapy Dogs?

  • Delta provides fully certified Therapy Dogs Teams who have been assessed, acredited and trained especially by Delta to work in environments like your workplace.
  • Each Delta accredited dog has undergone strict temperament testing to determine their suitability for visiting. Our therapy dogs are reassessed for their suitability every 1-2 years, depending on age.
  • Volunteers undergo a police check and complete a training course that covers WHS, visiting procedures, human health and communication and animal behaviour training.
  • The respect and relationship between dog and owner are of the highest standard. This translates to positivity and warmth during visits.



What benefits will a Delta Therapy Dog visit bring to my workplace?

Scientifically proven benefits of Therapy Dogs:

  • Physical– interaction with a furry friend reduces blood pressure, provides tactile stimulation, assists pain management, gives motivation to move and stimulates the senses
  • Social – a visit with a dog provides a positive topic for discussion, promotes greater self-esteem and well-being, and focused interaction with others
  • Cognitive – Canine companionship stimulates memory, problem solving and game playing
  • Emotional– an adorable four-legged visitor is non-judgemental and provides acceptance, is calming and lifts mood often with laughter
  • Environmental – a dog decreases the feeling of a sterile environment, lifts mood and this continues after each visit.
(Data courtesy of the Australian Companion Animal Council)



Will the dogs make a mess?

Our dogs are prepared, walked and relieved before a visit. Delta Therapy Dog Teams abide by the following standards for visits:

  • Volunteers ensure their dogs are clean, well groomed and prepared before visits.
  • Delta Therapy Dogs are vaccinated and treated regularly for internal and external parasites.
  • Our Therapy Dog Teams regularly visit hospitals and aged-care centres, so are experienced in visiting unfamiliar places which are not generally visited by animals.



How long does a therapy dog visit last?

Visits last between 60 and 90 minutes. Visits are capped at 90 minutes to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare for our four legged therapeutic friends.



Can you meet our specific company requirements?

Yes. Once we receive your request for a Delta Therapy Dog visit we will contact you to discuss specific visit requirements, such as number of dog teams needed, venue particulars and any special staff considerations. We can also work with your building management to ensure we comply with their requirements.



How much notice do I need to give for a visit?

Ideally, we prefer at least four weeks notice to organise a visit to your organisation. However, we do our best to accommodate all requests.



What is the cost of having Delta Therapy Dogs visit our workplace?

A 60 to 90 minute visit for up to 250 participants costs $900 + GST. If you are expecting a higher number of participants or you would like to schedule multiple visits, please contact us at paws@deltasociety.com.au for a quote.



What happens during a visit?

Generally our Therapy Dog Teams begin a visit in a common room or area. Our volunteers talk with staff or students about their dog, their therapy visits and answer questions attendees might have. The dogs interact with staff and students offering a pat, a floppy ear to listen or paw to shake. Staff and students get to relax, share stories and connect with animals in an unlikely environment. Often the teams will do a walk around the office and meet staff at their work stations.



Will a dog run around the office?

No. It is Delta policy that dogs remain on a lead at all times. Dogs remain under the control of their owner throughout the visit.



Does Delta Society have Insurance?

Yes, Delta Society has Public Liability Insurance up to $20 million.



How soon will my visit be confirmed?

We will be in touch once you have submitted your booking request. We rely on our hard working volunteers to fill visits. We normally confirm final numbers of visiting teams two weeks before the visit.



How many dogs will come on a visit?

Final numbers of Therapy Dogs Teams depend on the size of your event and team availability. While we make every effort to accomodate all requests, please remember that we rely on our hard working volunteers to make visits happen, and sometimes this means that numbers or teams can change last minute.