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. The position reports to the Paw Pals Operations Coordinator.

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 on learning.
• Passion for supporting the holistic development of students through animal-assisted interventions.

For more information, please contact:

Brona Walshe at brona.walshe@mackillop.org.au or on 03 8317 9747.

Our offer

• Salary packaging – we can help you to maximize your salary packaging up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Paid Training that is industry specific including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Sanctuary and Cultural Awareness training.
• Fitness Passport - which is a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family. For a fraction of the price of a regular gym membership.
• Employee Assistance Program- Free access to a wide range of options with all aspects of life such as social, financial, physical, mental health by providing counselling and coaching supporting relating both to your circumstance, even including health advice from qualified nutritionists.
• Supportive Environment - Monthly supportive meetings with your direct manager.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence-supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.

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.