Ambassadors

One of the joys of playing in the AFL is the ability to use my influence to help people. I’m proud to be an Ambassador for MacKillop Family Services’ so that I can make a positive difference for vulnerable children.

For me education is so important. School is where I made a lot of my life long friends and early social connections. I wouldn’t be where I am today without school. Everyone deserves the right to an education, and it has been great to see the impact MacKillop’s therapy dogs can have on helping vulnerable children get back to the classroom. Donating to Paws4Kids will allow more vulnerable children to get a better start and opportunity at an amazing life.

Education provides children with hope and opportunity. This program is providing those that need it most the chance to re-engage with school and complete their education, which is something many people take for granted. Donating to this initiative helps those that may feel the world has forgotten about them know that people do care.

Let’s all agree on something ok? There is nothing sweeter than a service dog. Who makes peoples lives better by just being in them. Being amazing friends and teachers, calming forces, epitome of LOVE and connection

Paws4Kids is an amazing charity which uses therapy dogs to help children who are in Foster Care and who are unable to attend school for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they can’t leave the house due to anxiety, or they have issues with violence with other children, or they have learning difficulties.

This amazing charity is looking out for those kids who are really struggling and need some help and love in their lives. Their aim is to raise $300,000 so that more children can have access to therapy dogs to help them reengage with education and follow their dreams. If you would like to help, whatever you generously donate on April 22 will be tripled by their generous partners. So? It’s the perfect time to help.

In my early career, I spent many years working closely with young people who were disadvantaged, at-risk or living in out-of-home care. Many of those young people, as a result of the trauma they’d experienced, had difficulty attending school and engaging effectively in learning.

That’s why I’m so thrilled to partner with the Paws4Kids program, which uses therapy dogs to help children living in out-of-home care to re-engage with the school system and complete their education. As a clinical psychologist and animal lover myself, I know the therapeutic benefits that come from spending time with dogs.

For vulnerable young people who’ve already experienced significant adversity, life is hard enough without being further disadvantaged by a lack of education. Paws4Kids provides an incredible opportunity for those kids to experience emotional safety so that they can access the educational opportunities they deserve and which so many of us take for granted.

I’m so thrilled to be supporting Paws4Kids because I can see first hand how animals play a huge role in the well-being of someone.

I just know that the Paw Pals program is helping young kids heal in such a beautiful way by having a little companion by their side!