Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) offers a unique and effective way to support emotional and psychological well-being. Through the presence and interaction with animals, we provide a therapeutic experience that promotes healing, reduces anxiety, and fosters a sense of connection and joy.
Incorporating animals into therapy offers a variety of benefits and often helps children feel more at ease during sessions. Working with therapy dogs can improve positive emotions, enhance social skills, and enable children to discuss their feelings in a safe and supportive manner. If you're curious about the broader benefits of animal-assisted play therapy, our guide explores how this approach supports children's emotional growth. Although our therapy dogs are fully booked at the moment, they're often hanging out in the waiting room on Mondays and Wednesdays!
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) incorporates trained therapy animals into the therapeutic process to help children feel more comfortable, engaged, and emotionally supported. Interacting with animals can reduce anxiety, encourage communication, and create a safe environment where children can explore difficult emotions through developmentally appropriate activities.
Animal-Assisted Therapy can be especially helpful for children who feel nervous about therapy or have difficulty opening up. The presence of a trained therapy animal can help children feel more relaxed, build trust with their therapist, and make it easier to engage in the therapeutic process.
Therapy begins with an initial consultation to understand your child’s needs and goals. When Animal-Assisted Therapy is appropriate and available, sessions incorporate interactions with a trained therapy animal alongside play, conversation, and other therapeutic activities. Every treatment plan is individualized to support your child’s emotional growth and well-being.
Animal-Assisted Therapy isn’t the best fit for every child. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your child’s needs, preferences, and comfort level to determine whether this approach is appropriate.
The frequency of therapy depends on your child’s needs, goals, and treatment plan. During your initial consultation, we’ll recommend a schedule that best supports your child’s progress.
Animal-Assisted Therapy may be appropriate for children experiencing anxiety, trauma, grief, emotional regulation difficulties, social challenges, or other emotional and behavioral concerns. Every child’s treatment plan is individualized based on their unique strengths, needs, and goals.
Yes. Parents are an important part of the therapeutic process. Depending on your child’s needs, therapy may include parent guidance, regular updates, and strategies to support progress outside of sessions.