Therapy With a Little More Warmth
Animal-Assisted Therapy is now part of what we offer at Peace of Mind; and it’s something many clients genuinely look forward to. It’s a gentle, structured way to help clients feel more grounded, especially when emotions are hard to name or express.
For many people, therapy can feel vulnerable, even intimidating. But being in the room with a dog often softens that edge. Dogs don’t judge. They don’t rush or expect. Just by being near, they help people feel less exposed and more safe in their own skin. That sense of comfort can make it easier to speak honestly, sit with discomfort, or even stay present when things feel overwhelming.
How We Offer It ?
We integrate Animal-Assisted Therapy into selected individual and child-focused sessions, based on the client’s needs and preferences. The dog isn’t the focus; but a steady, supportive presence that can shift the tone of the space. Sessions remain led by a licensed therapist; the dog simply helps lower the walls that sometimes get in the way.
Why It Helps ?
Clients often notice subtle but meaningful changes:
- A calmer nervous systems; lower breathing, less tension
- Feeling more open, less guarded, or self-conscious
- Easier access to difficult emotions, especially around grief or fear
- A greater sense of safety, especially for those with trauma histories
- More engagement in therapy, especially for children and teens
- A deeper connection with the therapist, built through shared calm
Something changes when a dog is in the room. We tend to breathe differently. We speak more honestly. We’re less afraid to be messy or unsure.
At Peace of Mind, Animal-Assisted Therapy is one more way we make the therapeutic space feel less clinical and more human; because real healing often starts with feeling safe enough to just be yourself.
