About Us

Therapy Animals Australia is a Melbourne based charitable organisation that specialises in training assistance dogs, therapy dogs and therapy animals throughout Victoria.

Therapy Animals Founders and Trainers

Therapy Animals Australia is run by highly experienced teachers.

Dr. Brad Rundle

Founder, Director and Head Trainer.

Dr. Brad Rundle (Ph.D in Zoology & Genetics) is an experienced educator and qualified teacher who is also an expert in understanding and modifying animal behaviour to best match the needs of the individual, whilst tailoring and planning effective and individualised programs.

  • Brad is also an educator who has worked at both the secondary and tertiary levels for many years.
  • He was a finalist for the 2009 Eureka Prize for Science Teaching and more recently winner of the 2016 Teacher Tall Poppies Award for Innovative Science Teaching.
  • He is a member of the Royal Society of Victoria, the Genetics Society of AustralAsia and the Australian Entomological Society.
  • Brad is registered with the Victrian Institute of Teaching (VIT). With his unique combination of experience and qualifications Brad is an expert in understanding and modifying animal behaviour to best match the needs of clients, whilst tailoring and planning effective and individualised programs.
  • Brad’s goal in establishing Therapy Animals Australia is to make this type of specialised training and support more accessible to anyone in need.

Mrs. Melanie Rundle

Director & Educator.

Mel is a highly skilled and experienced educator who specialises in Junior School education. She is passionate about improving the overall well-being of students. She is an expert in fostering positive learning environments and adapting classroom programs to cater for differing ability levels, strengths and specific individual needs.

  • Mel understands the importance of taking the time to understand the unique needs and strengths of each student she works with.
  • She is experienced in supporting students with a range of special needs and is highly skilled in nurturing individual strengths through creative and innovative strategies to motivate learners and facilitate their progress with minimal stress levels.

Assistance, Companionship & Emotional Support

We are a family run charitable organisation, operating in the State of Victoria, that trains and provides animals to support individuals suffering from mental and/or physical illnesses and disabilities. Therapy Animals Australia specialises in training assistance dogs, therapy dogs and therapy animals to suit our clients’ specific needs.

Therapy Animals Australia understands the special role that animals can have in providing assistance, companionship and emotional support to people of all ages. We recognise that everyone’s situation is unique and therefore pride ourselves in tailoring our training programs to best match the individual needs of each of our clients and their animals.

We teach techniques that maximise the engagement level of animals in order to get the most out of their training program, whilst strengthening the bond clients have with their pet.

We can provide support to clients from the very early stages of choosing and sourcing an assistance/therapy animal that best suits their specific situation, or we can work with an existing pet to develop and continue their training program that enables client’s to get the most benefit out of their animal.

We will work closely with you to explore possible applications, then design and implement a program that best matches your own specific needs.

In addition to designing training programs for individual clients, we develop programs for schools (from early learning through to junior and senior levels), aged care facilities and health care facilities.

We can deliver presentations about animals, animal behaviour, training techniques and learning theory. Presentations are tailored to suit the specific needs of interested organisations. We can provide and/or source animals and help to set up an animal therapy program for these groups.

We also offer general dog training in Melbourne for groups and individuals.

Services Overview

To learn more about our each of our services, please select from the links below…

Assistance Dogs

We train assistance dogs and animals to provide specialised support for people with mental and physical disabilities/ illnesses.

Therapy Dogs & Animals

We train therapy dogs and animals to provide emotional support, companionship and relief from symptoms related to mental and physical disabilities/ illnesses.

Paws In Schools

By specially training dogs and animals for the school environment, we aim to improve the overall wellbeing of students. For people of all ages, from Foundation to Year 12 and Undergraduate University Courses.

Dog Training

We offer Dog obedience training for everyone… feel free to join a group or as private classes.

All funds generated from the above services go towards fulfilling the main purpose of the charity.

If you are interested in any of our services, or wish to discuss how we might be able to assist you, please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Service and Therapy Animals Australia Ltd., trading as Therapy Animals Australia, is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission.

Call 0438 770 994
Send us a Message
How Can We Help

If you’re interested in any of our services, or wish to discuss how we might be able to assist you, please don’t hesitate to contact us, phone or message.

Fast Response

Simply fill out this quick enquiry form, tell us a little bit about your situation, and we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

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