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Dogs Connect - Connection, Regulation and Empathy

Dogs Connect - Connection, Regulation and Empathy

4

Hours:

149

Cost: $

0

CE's Available:

Instructor(s):

Grant Shannon

Amanda Leonard

Stephen W. Porges, PhD

Course Overview

This is a short course that will explain some of the key links between theory and practice related to connection with a well-being dog in an education setting. The Dogs Connect Program has been implemented in every type of school setting and supports a shift in educational practice through teaching people how to connect with dogs in a healthy, balanced, meaningful, and sustainable way so that the dogs and humans all benefit from the opportunities that come from this connectedness. The results from this program include significant positive impacts on teaching and learning outcomes, increased school attendance, reduced school refusal, enhanced relationship development, and students reporting that they feel safer in the classroom. This course will help students to explore how this connection and these impacts can be felt in a school community, as well as building understanding around how the Polyvagal Theory underpins how this connection is built and sustained. This course is delivered as modules made up of self-paced video lessons which will introduce, explain, and demonstrate exactly how the connection with an animal can help to reach the learning brain and become a valuable addition to existing intervention and prevention strategies in an education setting. This course includes an invitation to a live discussion with Stephen Porges, PhD or Deb Dana, LCSW exclusively for members of our PVI learning community. Our next discussion time will be announced soon. Join us live if you're available; this discussion will not be recorded. Students will have access to the course for 180 days from the date of registration.

10 prerecorded videos 6 handouts Live broader student community discussion with Stephen Porges, PhD or Deb Dana, LCSW

Format

self-paced

Recommended Audience

dog trainers, dog owners, educators, parents, clinicians

CE's and/or Certificate of Completion Available

Certificate of Completion upon course completion.
  • What is the attendance policy for a course?
    Live/Hybrid courses: While specific course policies may vary, we typically allow one absence for a live or hybrid course and require watching the recording and/or sometimes submitting a reflection for the missed session. If a participant is absent for more than the permissible number of live sessions, they may no longer be eligible to receive their certificate. Self-paced courses: Attendance does not apply to self-paced courses as they are designed to be consumed when the student is willing and able to take the course. All material is pre-recorded content, reading, or individual assignments. Please note that if you are enrolled in a course that offers CEs (continuing education credits) and you have opted to earn them, specific attendance policies apply and must be adhered to in order for you to remain eligible to earn CEs at the end of the course. Contact us for details if you are unsure of the attendance policy for your particular course!
  • How and where are live sessions held?
    Live sessions are held online via Zoom. You will find your course Zoom link inside the course content on our Learning Platform once you enroll; email reminders with the Zoom link are sent to enrolled students. While having your camera on is not required, you are invited to turn your camera on during your live course session; this allows you to share in co-regulation with other learners and to build a sense of community.
  • What if I am unable to attend a live session?
    We upload recordings of our live course sessions to our Learning Platform within 72 hours for you to view. (Please see the attendance policy above.)
  • How can I tell what time the live session will be in my local time zone?
    To convert live course session meeting times to your local timezone, please use a conversion website like this.
  • Where can I find the course material?
    PVI uses a Learning Platform (LMS) called Thinkific. Upon enrolling in a course, you will receive an email invite to access the course in Thinkific. This is where you'll find all of the course materials, links, and class community.
  • Is this course accredited?
    PVI is the founding home of Polyvagal Theory, and we believe our courses offer the most accurate and up to date content about Polyvagal Theory and its many applications. There is no accrediting body for this type of curriculum. Our course descriptions will list any continuing education credits (CEs/ CEUs) or other professional benefits that might be available for the course (along with any applicable restrictions). If CEs are not listed for a particular course, then none are available.
  • How do I reset my password to the PVI Learning Platform?
    You can reset your password by going to https://pvi.thinkific.com/users/sign_in and clicking the “Forgot Password?” link. You will then enter the email address you used when creating your account to receive a one-time password reset link. Use the instructions in that email to complete your password reset. If you have any other technical questions, feel free to reach out to us at info@polyvagal.org.
  • Is there closed captioning?
    Yes. Most of our pre-recorded course content is hosted on a platform that offers closed captioning. If you come across a video that does not have closed captioning, please send us a message at info@polyvagal.org and we will be glad to assist you.
  • In which currency are your prices listed in?
    Our prices are listed in USD (United States Dollars). Your credit card or bank statement will likely reflect the price in your local currency.
  • Will I be charged sales tax?
    If you are located in the US or Canada, you will be charged sales tax on the cost of your course.
  • Are there scholarships available?
    Yes, PVI offers scholarships for all of our courses on a rolling basis. You can apply for a scholarship at https://forms.gle/vvfQdyAtw3k79LpM9.
  • Are there group discounts?
    Yes. For groups of five or more participants, a 15% discount is available for each participant. Please contact us at info@polyvagal.org to inquire and to enroll as a group!
  • What is your refund policy?
    We are proud to offer a 30 day Money Back Guarantee for all of our courses (from date of purchase for self-paced courses and from date of first live session for live courses). Please reach out to us at info@polyvagal.org if you'd like to inquire about a refund.
  • Can I purchase a gift certificate for PVI courses?
    Give the gift of learning! Yes, Polyvagal Institute offers digital gift certificates that arrive by email, and can be used towards any of our courses. Gift certificates are a simple way to share polyvagal insight and knowledge that stems from a better understanding of the human experience. Purchase a gift certificate now!

INSTRUCTOR(S)

Grant Shannon

Grant Shannon is the Founder of Dogs Connect, B.Ed, M.Ed (App. Learning), M.Ed (Student Wellbeing). During his ten-year teaching career, Grant recognized that his students needed more from traditional education. He decided to create a program to help students feel more connected and engaged in their school environment. The Dogs Connect Program is now in over 100 schools as well as in justice and healthcare settings. Grant’s great passion for education has driven him to research the benefits of training wellbeing dogs for the classroom. He willingly shares his knowledge and scientific evidence, teaching students and staff how to build emotional intelligence and resilience. Many schools are now witnessing first-hand the impact the program is having on academic outcomes.

Grant Shannon

Amanda Leonard

Amanda Leonard

Amanda Leonard is the content developer with Dogs Connect BA (Psych. Soc), MSW. Amanda has more than 25 years of experience working as a counsellor in both community and education contexts. She is passionate about all things wellbeing and values strengths-based, trauma-informed practices. Her positive psychology work helps us establish partnerships, develop resources and deliver our programs. Amanda shares a strong interest in staff wellbeing and holistic approaches in building capacity, connection and resilience. Seeing the profound impact of this program in improving wellbeing gives her absolute joy. Visit the Dogs website for more info: https://dogsconnect.net.au/

Stephen W. Porges, PhD

Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award. He is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems related to traumatic experiences. He is the creator of a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol ™ , which currently is used by approximately 3,000 therapists to improve spontaneous social engagement, to reduce hearing sensitivities, and to improve language processing, state regulation, and spontaneous social engagement. Dr. Porges is a founder of the Polyvagal Institute.

Stephen W. Porges, PhD

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