Certified Therapy Animal

Certified Therapy Animal

My dog, Botero, is a trained and certified therapy animal who loves my clients and, pretty much everything else except baths. Animal Assisted Therapy (“AAT”) is a specific therapy approach that I may utilize on a case-by-case basis depending upon an analysis of the benefits for each client. Some benefits of AAT include:

• Providing a sense of security and emotional support. Dogs in particular offer unconditional acceptance and positive regard.

• Promoting relaxation. Research has demonstrated that petting an animal can help lower blood pressure, heart rate, and increase oxytocin (a feel-good chemical in the brain). In a study of people who had heart attacks, those who had a companion animal lived longer than those who did not.

• Helping the client learn about mindfulness, human connection, and frustration tolerance.