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Meet the Team
Animal Assisted Therapy in Melbourne
Animal-Assisted Counsellor for Schools & Families
Meet Jodee Vella –
Animal-Assisted Counsellor & School Wellbeing Practitioner
I’m Jodee Vella, a qualified counsellor and animal-assisted therapy practitioner with a passion for supporting children, families, and individuals through life’s challenges. I hold a Bachelor of Counselling, Graduate Certificate of Counselling, and am a Level 4 Member of the Australian Counselling Association (MACA).
My work supports people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, low confidence, social skill difficulties, ADHD, autism, school refusal and grief and loss, using a compassionate, strengths-based approach.
Alongside one-on-one counselling, I deliver animal-assisted therapy programs in schools, preschools, and special needs education settings. These include:
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Group wellbeing programs for students and work places
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Emotional regulation and social skills support
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School wellbeing days delivered on-site
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Programs tailored for neurodivergent and additional needs students
Animal-assisted therapy is particularly effective for children and young people who may find traditional talk-based approaches challenging.
Bringing therapy into educational environments helps children feel safe, supported, and ready to engage where they already feel most comfortable.
Who I Work With
I support:
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Preschools and early learning centres
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Special needs and autism-specific schools
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Organisations and workplaces
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Children, adolescents, and adults (NDIS)
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Families seeking therapeutic support
Every session and program is tailored to the individual or group, recognising each person’s unique needs, strengths, and experiences. My approach is:
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Trauma-informed and consent-based
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Neuro-affirming and inclusive
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Child-centred and developmentally appropriate
Through the powerful bond between humans and dogs, clients are supported to build resilience, confidence, emotional awareness, and wellbeing in a gentle and respectful way.
Meet Our Therapy Dogs School-Based Animal-Assisted Therapy
Meet our certified therapy dogs who support emotional regulation, engagement and connection in school and special needs school programs.
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Qualifications
Counselling Qualifications
Jodee Vella BA(Couns), GCert(Couns)
Graduate Certificate in Counselling
Bachelor of Arts in Counselling
Member of Australian Counselling Association (ACA - Level 4)
Member of Animals Therapies Limitied
Lead the Way Certifications
Gemma - Visiting Therapy Dog & Handler Team Certification Level 3 (RIP 28.03.2024)
Ranger - Visiting Therapy Dog & Handler Team Certification Level 4 (2025)
Ziva - Visiting Therapy Dog & Handler Team Certification Level 2
All dogs certified through Lead the Way Institute Australia
Dog Training Certification
National Dog Training Federation - Certificate 3 in Dog Behaviour and Training (2022)