Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)
Therapy animals are increasingly being used to assist adults and children with a wide range of emotional and psychological disorders including depression, recovery from trauma, anxiety and neuroses.
The presence of an animal in the therapy room can make sessions more pleasurable and productive, and improve therapeutic outcomes. Clients experience calming effects, brightening of mood, increased self-esteem, stress reduction and increased motivation.
Child-animal interactions can also provide the following benefits:
Promote development of empathy
Help withdrawn children to interact and open up
Help children to develop a rapport with the counsellor
Non-judgemental acceptance of child offered by animal
Improved socialisation skills
Non-threatening physical contact, touch
Physiological benefits – increased ability to relax, decreased heart rate and blood pressure
I am one of only a handful of therapists offering AAT in this country, and my work has been featured in publications such as Psychologies and Staffordshire Life magazines. My clients are offered the opportunity to have Tilly, a chocolate Labrador, present in their sessions if they wish. She has been thoroughly trained, and assessed by the organisation ‘Pets as Therapy’, and I am fully insured to use her in my counselling work.
