At St Columba’s College, the wellbeing of our students and staff is at the heart of everything we do. A unique part of this commitment is Millie, our much-loved wellbeing dog, who joined the College community in early 2024.
Millie is part of the Dogs Connect program, which brings trained wellbeing dogs into schools to foster connection, reduce stress, and support emotional health. Calm and gentle by nature, Millie creates a sense of safety and belonging across our College community. Her presence helps students and staff feel centred, supported, and ready to learn.
Millie attends school three days a week and is guided by a dedicated group of staff members who have been specially trained to support her role. Together, they ensure Millie’s time at school is purposeful, structured, and enjoyable, while also protecting her own wellbeing.
Millie’s Role in Our Community
Emotional Support: Millie provides quiet reassurance, particularly during moments of stress or challenge.
Learning Connections: Students are encouraged to interact with her respectfully, helping them develop empathy, responsibility, and leadership.
Calm Presence: Simply being near Millie can reduce anxiety. Recent studies show that 92% of students said they felt more relaxed when a dog was in the classroom.
The Benefits of a Wellbeing Dog
Research shows that having a school dog can:
Improve attendance, as students look forward to seeing Millie each day.
Encourage communication and connection, giving students a shared focus.
Build responsibility and leadership, as students learn how to care for and respect Millie.
Foster empathy and understanding, as children see the impact of their actions on her wellbeing.
Expectations Around Millie
To ensure Millie thrives in her role, we have three simple expectations for our community:
Say hello to the staff member with Millie before interacting with her.
Give her plenty of space when passing.
Keep moving calmly , avoid crowding, calling out, or being boisterous.
When meeting Millie, students and staff may gently pat her on the back or chest. She’s very food-driven, so we remind everyone to dispose of food and litter responsibly.
Millie’s Sponsor, Houndz Paradise
At St Columba’s College, Millie plays a special role in supporting the wellbeing of our students and staff. Keeping her happy, healthy and ready for her important work is made possible through the generous support of our friends at Houndz Paradise.
Houndz Paradise in Maribyrnong provides Millie with complimentary grooming and daycare, ensuring she is always looking her best and enjoying plenty of enrichment, exercise and social time with other dogs. Their expert team understands the needs of working dogs and takes wonderful care of Millie, helping her stay calm, confident and full of energy for her days at the College.
We are incredibly grateful for their support of Millie and our community. Partnerships like this help ensure our wellbeing initiatives continue to flourish, while giving Millie the very best care both on and off campus.
Connect With Us
If you have any questions about Millie or the Dogs Connect program, you are welcome to contact the Core Group at milliecoregroup@columba.vic.edu.au.
Millie is more than a companion; she is a vital part of our College community. With her calm presence and wagging tail, she continues to bring joy, comfort, and connection to all who meet her.
