Handler Coaching & Support
What you need to know.
Handler Coaching & Support Services
What is A Handler?
A Handler is the human on the end of the leash.
They are someone with a dog whether it be a dog they already have or a purpose bought puppy, and are wanting to receive coaching in how they can better understand how their dog can help support them.
Why has the human got anything to do with training?
You will hear us refer to the Handler and their Dog as a “Team.”
Just as the dog needs training, the human (Handler) needs coaching.
Our program takes a slightly different approach from other organisations in that we place a strong emphasis on improving the human's life alongside their assistance dog.
The human is one half of the team, and it's often the human who needs the most support throughout this journey.
When we begin working with a team, the handler has often developed coping mechanisms to manage their disability or diagnosis. This might include not leaving the house or avoiding environments that could trigger a response in their nervous system or body. Their lives may have become quite restricted, but they aspire to live a bigger, more confident life. They have goals for what they want their life to look like, feel like, and the experiences they hope to achieve.
This is often the main reason they sought out an assistance dog in the first place.
However, simply getting a dog trained in basic commands and three identifiable tasks is, in our view, just scratching the surface of what's truly possible.
Our program offers handlers the opportunity to get to know themselves on a deeper level, helping them progress from where they are to where they want to be, alongside their assistance dog.
Through our coaching program, we help handlers understand themselves better by understanding their dogs. We support them in safely and gradually expanding their lives, at their own pace. We work with them to achieve their goals, build their capacity to engage in the community, and empower them to advocate for themselves. Ultimately, our goal is to help them live the life they envision, all alongside their dog.
We are here to help them every step of the way.
How we Support
Our approach to supporting our handlers comes from many years of experience in understanding the human as a whole, drawing from both Western and Eastern medicine, psychology and philosophies.
We are trauma-informed, have lived experiences, and continuously expand our knowledge of the brain, mind, body, as well as the understanding of various diagnoses.
We understand that individuals with a diagnosis or disability are unique.
We do not confine people to their past experiences but see them as their individual selves and who they want to be.
We listen, move at the pace of both the handler and their dog, and provide guidance and support throughout this process.
We work with the Individual Goals of the handler, supporting their growth through helping them with skill-building strategies to develop a deeper understanding of their nervous system and their awareness in their ability to choose, listen and understand. They gain the confidence to pursue activities, and be in the community.
This skill based approach of personal growth empowers the handler to take on bigger challenges, such as attending school, work, or university, with greater ease and confidence.
Theory Covered
Throughout the Teams Journey we will cover the theory below with the handler to help them understand themselves better and discuss new strategies they can use to help understand themselves better, regulate their nervous system and bring themselves back to a level of homeostasis.
Benefits of Human Animal Bond
Understanding Canine Behaviour
Mutual Neurotransmitters
Nervous System Regulation Coaching
Confidence Building
Feedback-Loop Response Coaching
Relationship Centred Coaching and Training
Self Advocacy
Threshold Monitoring
Introspection Methods
Personal Development
Goal Setting and Accountability Coaching
Understanding Trauma Response, Distress Tolerance and Expansion work.
Breath work, Mindfulness, Meditation, Self Awareness too development.
And a lot more,
Each of our Handlers have access to our Private Support Group.
Where we offer connection through community as well as Free Webinars on Human Development and how your dog can help in the process of you achieving your goals.