Animal Assisted Theropy

It has been widely researched and noted that therapy dogs can make a big difference to people's lives and experience.

Our labrador Indie helps support and bring some joy and enhance your overall session.  Children and adults alike have loved the time spent patting, grooming, walking, playing, and interacting with Indie.

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It has been observed that pets enhance the experience in nursing homes for the residents.  Scientifically proven is improvement in residence health and well-being, when dogs, cats or horses visit them, and has been said to brighten their day. They can provide a non-judgemental, interactive, and joyful experience for clients of all ages.

 

Counselling with dogs has proven very successful, therapeutic intervention. The bond between humans and animals can provide a fulfilling and enlightening session for clients. It also supports you to be in the moment. 

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Through grounding breathing and awareness exercises and mindfulness practices you are invited to come into the present. Horses can model how you feel. Through this you can gain insight into how you feel and are reacting to their own thoughts, feelings and emotions. They may recognise behaviors or actions they are choosing through a horse's modelling. In herd or horse observations you can see how these animals live in the now. Also, another piece of noticing can be how equines sort out their needs and then return to grazing. They look after themselves and can show us as humans how this can be better for our own health and wellbeing.

 

Being seen by horses is another important facet of the therapy. One can't hide or play small, as in life at times. Horses notice people and often interact. They are naturally curious. Even though they may feel fear or anxiety a part of this can be sorting it out, taking action or moving. In this they are displaying a healthy way to deal with their feelings, making better choices. In communicating how they feel or what they want, they can teach us a lesson that we can take on as humans. Getting out of one's comfort zone is also discussed and encouraged especially in experiments with horses. Growing and stretching a client is another valuable part of this therapy. 

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Self-regulation and self-care, and staying present centered to keep ourselves safe in interactions and life can be mulled over. As well as using existing help and support that work well and sourcing others if needed. Breathing grounding and self awareness of body and mind, and thoughts particularly at times of worry can also be touched on. Enlightenment may come, in areas of what supports a person, confidence building and relationship enhancement. Recognitions of patterns, self talk and actions, as well as reactions that don't serve us well, may also be recognized, and explored. All groundwork sessions. There is a facility for you to skype with your own horse if you would like too.