Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic intervention that incorporates animals into the treatment plan.

I incorporate my dog, Janie, into my psychotherapy work. Janie is certified as an Emotional Support Animal. The use of animals by health professionals in their work is called animal assisted therapy. Numerous studies show that interacting with animals helps lower blood pressure, increases engagement, and reduces anxiety and depression.

Animal-assisted therapy is rooted in the bond that can develop between people and animals. Animals can provide a sense of calm, comfort, or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation and toward one that provides pleasure. Animals can help combat loneliness and boost social support, both through interactions with the animal and interactions that involve other people.

Animal-assisted therapy advocates say that developing a bond with an animal can help people develop a better sense of self-worth and trust, stabilize their emotions, and improve their communication, self-regulation, and socialization skills.

What to Expect

My Emotional Support Dog, Janie, joins all in-person sessions at our office in Sagamore Beach. You can learn more about Janie here.

Janie will greet you and may be interested in some pets or cuddles. Depending on your desire, she may sit with you on the couch or you can play or cuddle with her on the floor. She is also very comfortable doing her own thing during a session, so if you prefer to have her present but not in your space, she will relax on her bed or in her own chair.

While Janie has been screened by a veterinarian before commencing work as a therapy animal, animals do sometimes carry disease. Because your contact is minimal, this risk is very small. Janie is up to date on all her vaccinations.

Because Janie is a dog, there may be a risk of an allergic reaction. Please let me know if you typically have allergies to animals.

If you have a fear of dogs (however mild), then animal assisted therapy may not be appropriate for you. Let’s discuss potential risks & benefits prior to the start of our work together.

As Janie’s handler & as your therapist, I will be looking out for your welfare as well as hers. However, it is important to remember that Janie is an animal & as such can be unpredictable. Janie is a gentle and affectionate dog, however, scratches, jumping, mouthing, and unwanted kisses are all possible.

Animals have individual rights, just as each client has rights. Janie gets to decide how & when she participates in the sessions. It is important for everyone’s benefit (as well as safety) that she is not coerced or mistreated. 

Clients may not bring their own animal to also be involved in their therapy session.

Confidentiality is important to Janie. She won’t talk about you, but it is possible she may recognize you outside of a session.

Information on this page has been sourced from Psychology Today and the National Institutes of Health.