About Us
Lead The Way, based in Melbourne, Victoria, is a service dedicated to studying and enhancing knowledge in Animal-Assisted Therapy and providing professional services, networks and training. It was established by Melanie G Jones, a registered Psychologist and professional dog trainer who has been working in various capacities with young people, families and animals since the early 1990's.Seeing the degree of attachment between people and their animals inspired Melanie to begin investigating human-animal interactions. It seemed a logical progression for Melanie to combine her two areas of interest and specialisation, dogs and young people! In early 2003 she began researching Animal-Assisted Therapy, and by 2004 had registered her black Labrador-Retriever "Tarlach" as a Therapy Dog. During the course of that year she developed a programme that incorporated her psychology training, psychotherapy techniques and Lifestyle Canine Communication - Lead The Way was born.
Since that time, Melanie has continued to research the efficacy of the Lead The Way group programmes in conjunction with MonashLink Community Health Service and Monash University (see publications below). She offers training and consultancy to those who wish to develop their own programmes, and together with Alpha Canine Professional offers an intensive 5 day course for those who wish to train and work with their own Therapy-Dogs. In 2009 Melanie opened her Psychology Clinic in Boronia, where she sees individuals and families.
Mental Health in Young People – Prevention of Depression, Anxiety and Substance Abuse
AAT Literature Review by Naomi Adams
AAT Research Report by Naomi Adams
AAT for Human-Canine Teams [PDF 2.34MB]: Intensive Therapy-Dog Handlers Course
© Copyright Melanie G Jones, Lead The Way, 2007. This website was created by Ladybug Web Design.