Letting the Outside In Hey everyone. So, I started today strong and was like 'BRING IT ON!' but I'm starting to struggle. The couch is normally comfy but I'm getting a bit stiff and it's feeling a little stuffy in this office. We're making good progress, but the walls just keep feeling like they're closing. The sun shines happily outside...[ read more ]
Humans are social creatures and we don’t do well in isolation. That’s exactly why state penitentiaries punish prisoners by putting them into solitary confinement. It causes them great mental anguish. Many of us have felt like prisoners in solitary confinement over the last couple of months because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. And many of us have been...[ read more ]
We all know life is more fun with dogs. Clients at Animal-Assisted Therapy, LLC have experienced first-hand how much better counseling is with this pup. But have you ever invited doggo to a Zoom meeting? Here are 15 times Zoom Meetings were better with dogs: 1. Who else will invite you to nap through the meeting? 2. Meetings should be...[ read more ]
Self-care is complex. Anyone can tell you to do it, but only you can bestow the gift of self-care onto yourself. But before you can begin bestowing, you’ve got to first recognize that you are worthy of caring for yourself as you do others.How do you do this? By noticing the ways in which you are currently not taking very good care of yourself.Here...[ read more ]
Just a few short months ago, none of us could have imagined how our lives would change at the onset of the Corona Virus. Now, several months into a global pandemic and resulting global quarantine, the world is slowly starting to open back up.But a lot of people wonder how long it will take before things fully return to normal....[ read more ]
But first, a message: Graduating Class of 2020, you’ve worked so hard this year. You’ve overcome challenges that no class before you has faced and you are an absolute inspiration. Congratulations on all your achievements! College students everywhere are wrapping up end-of-semester projects and this has led to a number of unusual phone calls for me and Benji. I love...[ read more ]
Quality Time and Cherishing Moments Hi everyone! It’s Benji here barking at you from 6 feet away! Lately things have been getting pretty crazy with the Coronovirus. Companies are closing, we all have to practice social distancing, and everyday there are bright grey news articles everywhere. Even your ‘ol pal Benji has had to stop going into the office. Although...[ read more ]
New Beginnings and Looking Forward Hi there everyone! It’s me, Benji! So, I’ve got some big news for you. Miss Annalisa and I are moving to a new office! It’s in a cool place called Pottstown. I’m super excited for all the new smells and sights. We will meet new faces and be in a completely different place! I know...[ read more ]
How to Keep Spirits Up What’s waggin’ folks? It’s your pal Benji again to bring some holiday cheer to all who are near. That’s right, it’s that time of year. Ya know, I was sitting here and thinking about my first holiday… #flashback. I was still a puppy living with my brothers, sisters, and mama. It was so wonderful. The...[ read more ]
There's nothing I love more than discussing the joys and challenges of animal-assisted therapy (except actually doing it!) I recently presented at the Pennsylvania Counseling Association's annual conference, educating my fellow counselors on how to effectively bring a dog into their practice. I quickly realized that before we could start the seminar, my audience needed a crash-course on the definition...[ read more ]