How the intake process actually works.
Before you apply, we want you to know exactly what to expect — every step, every timeline, every decision point. No surprises. No guesswork. Just a clear path from where you are now to running your own canine-assisted learning services.
Next intake
Monday 13 July 2026
Intake frequency
4× per year
Places per intake
Limited
Time to launch
90 days
Why intakes are limited
This isn't a course you buy and do alone. It's a cohort.
Paws 4 Change facilitators don't just complete training — they go through a shared 90-day journey together, with Sue guiding the group every week. That model only works when everyone starts at the same time, with the same support, moving at the same pace.
👥 Cohort learning works better
Weekly group sessions mean you're learning alongside people at the same stage — sharing wins, asking questions, and building a peer network that lasts beyond the 90 days.
🎯 Sue's attention is finite — and intentional
Limiting intakes means every facilitator in a cohort gets genuine access to Sue — not a watered-down experience as the network scales.
📣 Advertising activates by region — together
When an intake cohort is ready, advertising goes live in all their regions at once. That coordinated launch drives more enquiries to every facilitator.
2026 Intake Calendar
🔵 Intake 1
13 July 2026
Open Now
🔵 Intake 2
October 2026
💡 If you miss the July intake — you can still apply now and we'll hold your place for October. Most people who apply and aren't ready for the next intake are enrolled within one cohort. Don't wait until you feel "ready enough" — that conversation starts with a discovery call.
The intake process
From application to first session — here's every step.
The process is designed to be clear, supported, and genuinely two-way. We're assessing fit — and so are you.
Discovery call with the team
This is a warm, no-pressure conversation — not an interview. We take the time to understand your goals, your situation, and the kind of services you want to build. You'll get a clear picture of the full 90-day journey, the investment, and what's expected. Both of us walk away knowing if this is the right fit.
What you'll cover
Your goals and the kind of outcomes you want
The full 90-day roadmap walkthrough
Investment and payment options
Your dog's suitability — an honest chat
What to expect
Around 30–45 minutes via phone or Zoom
No sales pressure — mutual decision
All questions welcome, no such thing as too basic
🎯 Outcome: You both know this is the right fit — and you have a clear picture of what comes next.
Confirm your place & enrol
Once you've both decided it's a go, you'll confirm your enrolment with the one-off program investment and set up your ongoing monthly support fee. Your place in the July cohort is locked in and you'll receive your welcome pack and onboarding details within 24 hours.
Investment
$2,495 one-off certification & setup payment
$295/month ongoing support, marketing & lead generation (first 90 days free)
Payment plans available — ask on your discovery call
What you receive
Welcome pack and program login details
Access to facilitator community
Your cohort start date confirmed
🎯 Outcome: Your place is locked in. You're officially a Paws 4 Change facilitator-in-training.
Certification & skill development
Your 90-day journey begins. The first four weeks are dedicated to building your knowledge and confidence — understanding neurodivergence, trauma-informed care, emotional regulation, and how to facilitate sessions effectively. You'll complete 50% of your self-paced modules and attend weekly group sessions with Sue.
What you'll do
Complete 50% of online training modules
Attend weekly group support sessions
Join the private facilitator community
What you'll learn
Neurodivergence & child development
Trauma-informed care
Behaviour, regulation & engagement
🎯 By Week 4: You feel genuinely confident delivering the program and supporting clients effectively.
Certification completion & business setup
Training continues while your business comes together in parallel. Compliance, systems, website, CRM — everything is handled with Sue's guidance so you're not navigating it alone. By Week 8, you're not just certified. You're operational.
Business & compliance
ABN, insurance, police check, WWVP card
Website built and ready
CRM configured and tested
Business skills
Managing enquiries and clients
Communicating with parents and families
Converting enquiries to enrolments
🎯 By Week 8: You are fully trained, certified, compliant, and set up — ready to launch.
Final preparation & advertising activation
The finishing line — and the starting gun. You finalise your CRM training, lock in your program schedule, and Sue does a final readiness check. Then, at the end of Week 9, advertising goes live in your region. Real enquiries start coming in — and you're ready to receive them.
Final prep
CRM training finalised
Program schedule locked in
Sue's final readiness check
🔥 Key milestone
Advertising activates in your region
First enquiries begin arriving
You only go live when you're truly ready
🎯 By Week 9: You are fully prepared to receive and convert real client enquiries in your region.
Client acquisition & program launch
Enquiries arrive, clients enrol, sessions begin. By Week 12, you're not preparing to run a business — you're running one. With proven response scripts, the team's ongoing support, and a network of fellow facilitators beside you, you're never figuring it out alone.
Weeks 10–12 goals
Week 10 — secure your first bookings
Week 11 — 3 clients enrolled
Week 12 — sessions in progress
Ongoing support
Monthly group check-in calls
Continued mentorship from the team
Done-for-you marketing & lead generation
🚀 By Week 12: You are trained, certified, set up, and running your own canine-assisted learning business.
Is this right for you?
Be honest with yourself before you apply.
This program delivers real results — but only for people who are genuinely ready to commit. Here's a plain-language guide to help you self-assess.
✅ You're probably a great fit if…
You have a dog with a calm, people-friendly temperament — or you're open to an honest assessment
You can commit 8–10 hours per week across the 90-day program
You genuinely care about supporting people — children, families, or adults navigating tough seasons
You want to build a real, sustainable practice — not just complete a course
You're coachable and willing to follow the system, even when your instinct says to do it your way
You're based in Australia and able to deliver in-person sessions in your local area
This probably isn't the right time if…
You can't dedicate consistent time across the full 90 days — life is too unpredictable right now
You're looking for passive income or a hands-off business model
Your dog is reactive, anxious around strangers, or hasn't had basic obedience training
You want to complete training first and then "think about" whether to actually launch — the program only works if you commit to the full pathway
You're not yet in a financial position to make the investment — better to wait and apply when you are
🐾 Not sure which column you're in? That's exactly what the discovery call is for. We have this conversation with a lot of people — and we'll be straight with you... we'd rather you make the right decision than the fast one. Apply and let's talk.
Common questions
Before you apply
Answers to the questions we hear most often at this stage.
What if I miss the next intake?
You can still apply now and we'll hold your expression of interest for the next round. Intakes run four times a year — January, March, July, and October — so you're never more than a few months away from the next group. Apply early and get the discovery call done so you're first in line.
How many people are in each intake group?
Places are deliberately limited to ensure every facilitator gets meaningful access to Sue and the team throughout the 90 days. Exact group size varies — but once an intake is full, it's full. Applications are assessed in the order they're received.
Do I need to quit my job to do this?
No — many facilitators complete the program while working part-time or in another role. You'll need around 8–10 hours per week across the 90 days. The training is self-paced with structured weekly touchpoints, so it's designed to work around a busy life.
What happens after the 90 days?
The $295/month ongoing fee covers continued support from the team, done-for-you marketing and lead generation in your region, access to all business assets, and the facilitator community. You're never left to build and market your services alone — that ongoing support is a core part of the model.
My dog is friendly but not formally trained — is that okay?
Formal training isn't required — temperament matters far more. A calm, people-friendly dog who responds to basic commands and enjoys meeting new people is a great candidate. We'll walk through an honest assessment on your discovery call and be straight with you about fit.
Is the $2,495 investment tax deductible?
In most cases, yes — as a business setup and professional development expense. We recommend confirming with your accountant, but most facilitators treat both the initial investment and the monthly fee as legitimate business deductions once they're operating.
Ready to apply
Apply for the July intake
Places are limited and the July cohort is open now. The application takes 10–15 minutes — and we'll be in touch within 2 business days.
Still deciding
Book a discovery call first
Not sure if you're ready? That's what the call is for. No pressure, no pitch — just a real conversation with Sue about whether this is the right fit and the right time.
Paws 4 Change
Evidence-based canine-assisted learning for children, adults, and communities across Australia. Built on the award-winning WAGS program.
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