How Evidence-Based Interventions for At-Risk Children Align with the L.E.G.S. Model

What can evidence-based interventions for at-risk children teach us about dogs and welfare? This course compares developmental needs across species and explores the shared importance of secure attachment, sensory integration, nervous system support, and environmental context. While children and dogs are not the same, there are meaningful parallels in how wellness emerges from a synergy of factors.

Using the L.E.G.S. model, this presentation examines how learning, environment, genetics, and self influence development, resilience, and behavior. Participants will explore how concepts from child development and trauma-informed care can expand the way we think about supporting dogs and families. The course invites professionals to consider attachment, sensory needs, and caregiver support as part of a larger welfare picture, helping shift the conversation from behavior control to healthy development and sustainable relationships.