EduPaws began in 2016 with a clear purpose — to help prevent dog bites by teaching children how to stay safe around dogs.

Our team visited preschools and primary schools across Southland, engaging children aged 3 to 10 in fun, interactive sessions that taught them how to understand dog behaviour and stay safe around both their own pets and others.

Alongside our education work, we introduced therapy dog visits to the Southland Hospital children’s ward. These visits gave young patients a chance to relax, smile, and forget for a moment that they were in hospital — enjoying the comfort and companionship of a friendly dog.

After COVID‑19, community needs shifted. Demand for safety education decreased, while requests for therapy visits grew rapidly. In response, four dedicated volunteers joined EduPaws, helping us expand our hospital visits and make them more frequent.

In 2026, when Hone Hato St John closed their dog‑therapy program, EduPaws stepped forward to continue the work. Many of their volunteers joined our team, and together we ensured therapy visits remained available across Southland’s rest homes, schools, and community spaces.

Today, EduPaws continues to grow — guided by compassion, connection, and the belief that a friendly paw can make a world of difference. 


EduPaws is a non-profit, registered charity CC53306