Animal Assisted Therapy

A circular patch with a black border, incorporating a yellow background with a black paw print in the center. The patch has a light blue outer ring with the text 'THERAPY DOG' at the top and 'PLEASE PET ME' at the bottom.
Emotional support animal logo with a red medical cross, a white caduceus symbol, and black text reading 'Emotional Support Animal' in a circular design.
A happy black and white dog with a shiny coat sitting on a white surface, looking at the camera with its mouth open and tongue out, against a plain white background.

Meet Luna, 

My right hand girl in therapy

Luna has been one of the most incredible additions to our practice! Luna is 10 years old & is a wise, gentle, and quirky Golden Retriever/Australian Shepherd mix.

She began seeing clients regularly since April of 2023, which means she has happily been apart of over 550 individual therapy sessions since then.

A woman with long brown hair sitting on a white couch, smiling at a black and white dog. The woman is wearing a light green blouse and black pants, and is holding the dog close to her face. There is a potted plant with gray-green leaves to the left and a window with white blinds in the background.

Luna has an extremely calm demeanor, and loves to assist clients in regulating their emotions. Luna has helped clients who are crying, highly anxious, or even experiencing dissociation.

Her soft fur and warm gaze can help you “come back” to the present moment if you’re feeling disconnected from it. She may gently, yet assertively, nudge her head into your hands if you’re in distress, reminding you that petting her can help.

Having Luna sit in our sessions is absolutely optional, during our initial consultation you can let me know how you feel about having her!

What is Animal Assisted Therapy?

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a therapeutic approach that involves incorporating animals, such as dogs, into the treatment process to enhance emotional, cognitive, and physical well being. AAT is used to support a variety of therapeutic goals, such as reducing anxiety, improving social skills, and increasing motivation.

The unique bond between humans and animals fosters a comforting environment that can lead to deeper emotional connections and more effective therapy outcomes.

Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy:

  • Emotional Support and Comfort: The presence of dogs often brings a sense of calm and emotional safety. Their unconditional love and companionship can help reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

  • Stress Reduction: Interacting with dogs has been shown to lower stress levels by reducing cortisol (a stress hormone) and increasing the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and relaxation.

  • Building trust and empathy: Working with dogs can help individuals develop a sense of trust and empathy, which can be transferred to other relationships and interactions in their lives.

  • Improved Social Interaction: Dogs can act as social facilitators, helping individuals open up and communicate more easily. This can be particularly beneficial for people who struggle with social anxiety or have difficulty expressing themselves.

  • Increased motivation: The presence of a dog can motivate individuals to participate more actively in therapy, as the dog’s companionship can make the therapeutic environment feel more welcoming and less intimidating.

  • Therapeutic distraction: Dogs can provide a healthy distraction from distressing emotions or thoughts, helping individuals to focus on positive interactions and mindfulness during therapy sessions.

A sign with blue text that says 'Client Feedback' and a black paw print underneath.

-T.B.

“My guard immediately dropped having Luna there. I don’t think I ever talked so freely so quickly.”

Cloudy sky with a gradient from light blue to gray and white clouds at the bottom.

-J.T.

“I look forward to seeing Luna greet me in the waiting room each week. Having her in
session helps me feel safer when I’m being so vulnerable”

A framed photograph of a black dog with a white chest and tongue hanging out, placed on a wooden plaque that reads "Employee of the Month."

Our employee of the month…
every month.

A cute black puppy with white markings on its chest, sitting on a carpeted floor and looking up.

Since Luna may be hearing all about your inner child, here is hers. At 8 weeks.

A black and white dog lying on a light-colored rug in front of a gray couch with a maroon patterned pillow and a green blanket.

Luna at the office, resting between sessions.

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It’s okay not to be okay. Feeling better really is possible.
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