PET THERAPY

Upon request, or with client consent, I offer the positive and effective healing technique of pet therapy. Pet therapy involves having your pet, or my certified therapy dog, present during the session to aid in the therapeutic process. Pet therapy has proven to be a very powerful and beneficial tool for many of my clients. Below is an example of the benefits of Pet Therapy.

I have seen time and time again that so much of what we feel we have trouble putting into words. Often I have felt that a third party (pet) in the therapy room would make the client more comfortable and open. Then about five years ago while working with a lonely, grief-stricken client who was stuck in her grief, all the pieces came together . . .

Jennifer was immediately different in her dog Susie’s presence. Susie provided the physical comfort and reassurance that she needed when she was finally able to let her sadness and grief out. She saw in Susie an ability to enjoy life moment to moment and not worry so much about the future.

The story of Jennifer ends happily. It is my clinical opinion that Susie played a paramount role in the successful therapy with Jennifer and in the changes she made in her life. This experience, coupled with my own, was so powerful that I knew I needed to find a way to bring animals into my work with clients. As a result, I now practice psychotherapy with my certified therapy dog, Taco, in the room. Or I encourage clients to bring their own pets when I feel such an intervention will be helpful. Pet therapy continues to be one of the most beneficial additions to my work with selected clients.