Be a friend of Paw Pals to spread the puppy love
Create your own fundraiser to help keep children in school to grow and thrive!
Anonymous just donated $50- Sanny Liu just donated $50
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Brona Walshe just donated $100- Anonymous just donated $50
Yit Loh just donated $2
In April, you can go solo or team up with friends, family, or colleagues to raise funds helping at-risk Aussie kids stay in school.
Be part of a team dog run, do a read-a-thon with your children and paw pal at home, or host a doggy party. The sky is the limit!
The difference you make to children struggling at school
You’re helping to lower stress levels
A Paw Pal like Marlowe helps students who have gone through trauma to feel safe, improving their ability to learn.
You’re helping children identify and manage big emotions
Students roll a die with their Paw Pal to explore feelings, practising to recognise their cues in the dog and in themselves.
You’re helping to develop kids’ social skills
A Paw Pal helps to nurture skills like patience, trust, teamwork, and cooperation, boosting confidence in social situations.
How it works
Register
Sign up as an individual or as a team
Set
Decide on your fundraising event
Promote
Share your personal page and raise funds
GO!
Do your challenge or event
How we support you
- View or download our 2026 Fundraising Toolkit for tips and tricks to make your fundraiser successful
- You will receive emails from us from time to time to keep you posted on Paw Pals program, fundraising tips, stories and impacts that you are making, and much more
- Contact us on 1300 218 935 or at support@mackillop.org.au for more information
Why share the puppy love?
Help kids like Oliver, who at age eight had been through enough trauma that he struggled to cope in unfamiliar situations, including the classroom.
Because school felt threatening, incidents of emotional outbursts were common and his attendance dropped to just two hours a day for three days a week.
Then, something beautiful happened.
A furry friend came into Oliver’s life and helped him regulate his emotions and feel safe in the classroom.
“He actually ran out of the house to greet her…I’ve got these beautiful photos of them where the dog is just lying next to him. 
- Belinda, Education Specialist
With some furry love and therapy, Oliver was able to rebuild trust in adults, reduce his outbursts, and increase his attendance to full days.
Oliver’s incredible turnaround is proof that programs like Paw Pals work – and its full reach is only made possible with the compassion of people like you!
Statistics show that attendance rates are dropping and that almost 1 in 5 Australian children aren't finishing year 12. Considering that over 90% of new jobs will require a tertiary qualification, your support means that Paw Pals can reach more children like Oliver, giving them hope and a future!
Paw Pals 2026 Pack Leaders
Paw Pals could make the absolute difference between a child attending and not attending school.
- Belinda, education specialist
