Animal-Assisted Therapy
Research has demonstrated that animal-assisted therapy is an effective treatment for easing depression, soothing anxiety, and improving emotional well-being. It is especially good for people who haven’t had much luck with traditional therapy techniques. Please note that animals can only see a limited number of clients due to ethical limitations for working animals. This means there may be a waitlist for animals at the time you call.
Animal-Assisted Therapy is a type of mental health counseling that incorporates human-animal interactions into the therapeutic treatment process. It is considered an add-on to traditional talk therapy. It is led by a mental health professional and their trained therapy animal.
Benefits of animal-assisted therapy:
• Emotion recognition/regulation
• Reduction of anxiety/stress
• Decrease depression
• Ability to address grief/loss issues
• Reduction of blood pressure
• Self-esteem enhancement
• Emotional and behavioral problems
• Improved socialization
• Decrease abusive behaviors
• Improve ability to trust
About Our Team:
Benji is a beagle and black-and-tan hound mix rescued from West Virginia. He is a playful, energetic, intuitive dog who works with Annalisa Smithson, LPC, NCC.
Frankie is a therapy pug certified through Therapy Dogs International. She works with Ashley Flor, Psy.D.
Donut is a sweet, fluffy lop-ear rabbit who works with El Hyder Kim, LSW.
Clover, a 14lb chihuahua/terrier mix, works with Annalisa Smithson, LPC, NCC, and is best described as a sweet, snuggly couch-potato.
Penny is a small mix-breed rescue dog with lots of energy who works with Shannon Colgan, LPC.