Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)

My training is in Human-Animal-Environment Interaction in Social Work. This includes training on how the human-animal bond can assist in healing, learning life skills, and developing secure attachments.

For the past 9 years I have incorporated pet therapy in my practice with the help of my yellow lab, Jolie. Pet therapy has been shown to reduce stress, increase rapport and help clients become more cognizant of emotional reactions and support resiliency in individual and group sessions. Jolie is certified as a Canine Good Citizen. She is calm, kind and very loving but if you are allergic or prefer for her to not be part of your session we can discuss those options.

In 2017 I completed a post-graduate training program in Animals and Human Health through the University of Denver School of Social Work. I incorporate Animal Assisted Interventions into my clinical work whenever it is indicated for best treatment. Most recently I have been including my Canine Animal Partner, Eben in sessions focused on anxiety, mindfulness, or PTSD. Both feline partners are now retired. Animals only join clients who are interested.

If we are fortunate enough to work together in person, I have a Standard Cockapoo therapy dog who attends all of my sessions (when the client wants the animal in the room). Denali was trained as a puppy to work with my clients either at their feet, next to them or on their lap. He is hypo-allergenic and does not shed. Many a client has found comfort and companionship with Denali.

I utilize Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Interventions. During COVID-19, since I am seeing clients entirely through telehealth, I welcome your pets into session to help you cope. I also use many metaphors involving the animal world to help you see different perspectives. When it is again safe to return to in-person sessions, my animals (golden retriever and kenyan sandboas) look forward to greeting you.

For the past 9 years I have incorporated pet therapy in my practice with the help of my yellow lab, Jolie. Pet therapy has been shown to reduce stress, increase rapport and help clients become more cognizant of emotional reactions and support resiliency in individual and group sessions. Jolie is certified as a Canine Good Citizen. She is calm, kind and very loving but if you are allergic or prefer for her to not be part of your session we can discuss those options.

When doing therapy, I often relate back to animals and how they function in their own world. Do animals have anxiety and to what extent do they have anxiety? Why is anxiety chronic in humans but not in wild animals? When it comes down to it, humans are animals and if we look at animals behavior, we can often help explain our own behavior and get back to our natural instincts.

I am currently getting certified in Veterinary Social Work and use my dog, Oliver, in therapy.

I offer Animal Assisted Play Therapy to children to help with a variety of issues, including low self esteem, depression, anxiety, attention and learning difficulties, and poor social skills, to name a few. It primarily focuses on the child's strengths while also addressing his or her life challenges. While all of my therapy during the Covid-19 crisis is provided online, this particular form of therapy needs to be done in the office. I will resume offering it once it is safe to do so.