Animal-Assisted Therapy With Ellie!

Feb 4

For many people, traditional therapy, especially when it centers on conversation alone, can feel hard to connect with. Regulation, safety, and connection often show up in our bodies before our words. That is one reason we are integrating Animal‑Assisted Therapy (AAT) into our work through Ellie, our therapy dog in training.

Ellie is a 4 year old Pembroke Corgi with a loving personality and energetic presence. She is nearing completion of her formal therapy dog training, and while she is not fully certified yet, we are offering trial Animal‑Assisted Therapy sessions upon request as part of her supervised clinical training. Animal‑Assisted Therapy is a structured, evidence‑based intervention in which a trained animal supports therapeutic goals under the guidance of a licensed mental health professional.

Importantly, this approach is not about distraction, it’s about supporting regulation, engagement, and emotional safety in the therapeutic relationship. A growing body of research demonstrates that Animal‑Assisted Therapy and related interventions can have measurable effects on both physical and emotional well‑being. Some physiological and psychological effects to note:

Interacting with trained therapy animals has been shown to promote the release of hormones such as oxytocin and serotonin, which are linked to mood regulation and social connection, and can lower stress and anxiety.
Even brief sessions with a therapy dog (e.g., 20 minutes) have been associated with significant reductions in anxiety and improvements in mood and well‑being in controlled research settings.
A controlled trial found that dog‑assisted therapy used alongside conventional rehabilitation significantly reduced anxiety and improved quality of life for participants compared to standard programs alone.

Other clinical and functional outcomes:

Systematic reviews of dog therapy interventions suggest benefits across populations, including reduced anxiety symptoms, improved socialization and engagement, and enhanced treatment motivation.
Research in pediatric psychiatric settings shows that dog‑assisted therapy can lead to better emotional self‑regulation, attendance, and self‑control in children receiving intensive care.
Meta‑analyses and emerging clinical trials indicate that canine‑assisted therapy may have moderate effects in reducing stress and anxiety in settings like universities, highlighting its potential across age groups and contexts.

It is important to note that while the evidence base is growing, Animal‑Assisted Therapy is not a standalone treatment for mental health conditions. Its value lies in supporting regulation, engagement, and co‑regulation within a therapeutic process. Many of the people we work with including neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and trauma‑impacted clients have experienced environments where safety, understanding, and attunement were inconsistent or absent. In those contexts, a trained therapy animal can:

Provide non‑verbal co‑regulation that helps calm the nervous system
Reduce the pressure to perform or mask during emotional vulnerability
Offer a predictable, grounding presence in moments of distress
Enhance therapeutic engagement and invitation to connection

Animal‑Assisted Therapy is always optional and guided by client consent, comfort, and clinical appropriateness. Ellie’s presence is offered only when it aligns with your needs and therapeutic goals. Ellie’s training has been provided by Grant O Pet Services, a program known for its emphasis on ethical animal welfare, handler responsibility, and client safety. Therapy animals undergo extensive preparation to reliably support regulated, calm presence in clinical spaces, including training in boundaries, socialization, self‑regulation, and client interaction protocols.

Ellie brings her curious and warm presence into the therapy space, and many clients find that just having her nearby makes it easier to stay grounded, present, and regulated during difficult moments. If you’d like to learn more or explore a trial Animal‑Assisted Therapy session with Sarah or Ryan, we invite you to reach out via our website, phone, or email. We’re happy to talk through how this approach might fit your therapeutic goals.