Animal Assisted Therapy in Vancouver
A unique approach
Animal-assisted therapy is an therapeutic approach in which animals play an active or passive role in improving health and well-being. It involves interactions between individuals and animals, facilitated by a trained therapist or healthcare professional, to achieve specific therapeutic goals.
Research has shown that the bond between humans and animals is unique and of therapeutic power in a lot of different ways.
Our Approach
What to expect
Luna is not a service dog; however, we are both currently studying Animal-Assisted Therapy.
At this stage, Luna is still in training, so she remains mostly passive during counselling sessions. Even so, her presence often brings a gentle layer of support. Before each appointment, I ask clients whether they’d like Luna to be part of the session so that her involvement is always a choice. When clients do welcome her, we check in together - and with Luna - about what the engagement will look like. It is usually brief and intentionally attuned to the client’s comfort.
Clients interact with Luna in various ways, such as light petting, quiet companionship, or simply noticing the calming energy she brings into the room. These mindful moments can help clients tune into their bodily signals, offering a grounded way to observe shifts in emotion and sensation during the therapeutic process.
Luna often contributes her own subtle gestures of connection, leaning gently against someone, curling up at their feet, resting her head on a knee, offering soft eye contact, or nudging a hand. These small expressions of companionship can create moments of ease and regulation within the therapeutic space.
Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy
Bringing a therapy dog like Luna into sessions can offer many benefits. Studies show benefits like:
- Emotional comfort: A warm, non-judgmental presence that helps clients feel supported.
- Stress reduction: Petting or being near Luna can help regulate the nervous system.
- Easier communication: Some clients find it easier to open up when a therapy dog is in the room.
- Mood support: Luna often brings a sense of ease, softening tense or difficult moments
support with:
- anxiety
- depression
- PTSD
- emotional overwhelm
- ADHD
Next steps
for Animal Assisted Therapy
If you’re curious about how Luna’s presence might support your journey, feel free to ask about her when booking a session.
