Therapy Dog Services
About Our Therapy Dog Services
A therapy dog is a specially trained dog who works with its handler to deliver canine-assisted services and/or therapy to individuals or groups of people within the scope of the handler’s profession; in this case, psychology.
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There is good and growing evidence behind the use of animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted services. Canine assistance in psychological service delivery can improve client or participant outcomes, support emotional regulation, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increase engagement with new learning. Being in the presence of a therapy dog has been shown to reduce blood pressure and increase the ease of social interaction. These findings hold true in both individual and group settings
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Workplace Paws
Press pause, and treat your staff team to a well-being support visit from Certified Therapy Dog Tilly and her handler Lisa Kettler. Your staff will have the opportunity to enjoy time being fully present with Tilly, who loves pats, and belly rubs and if you and she are feeling playful, a game of office fetch. Lisa is also available to lead your team in a shared mindfulness meditation or guided relaxation practice ( no prior experience necessary) if your team would like to build on their well-being skills. Regular practice of mindfulness underpins the effectiveness of many forms of psychological therapy and supports improved well-being and work performance.
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Visits can be booked for a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 90 minutes. Book a single visit, or set up a schedule for regular visits for your team. For this experience to be successful, group sizes are limited to 15 people per visit.
Individual Support
Seeking psychological therapy support? Find it difficult to sit and talk? Love dogs? A walk-and-talk therapy session with therapy dog Tilly might be a good fit for you. Please be aware there is limited availability for this service, and some flexibility is required to account for the suitability of weather conditions. Sessions can commence from a negotiated public location and may attract a Medicare rebate if you have an active Mental Health Care Plan.