What is Canine-Assisted Therapy, and why am I offering it?

If you’ve ever had an interaction with an animal the chances are, unless you have a phobia or allergy, that that interaction was a pleasurable one. Typically, there’s a smile on your face and a general feeling of happiness during and afterwards. Inside, your anxiety levels and heart rate are dropping, your blood pressure is regulating and you will be feeling calmer. Cortisol levels can reduce - this is a stress-related hormone - and "feel good" chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine are released, improving mood and affecting happiness.

In the five years I have been volunteering for Pets As Therapy with my dog, Ted, I have witnessed countless times how his presence can lift and calm a difficult situation, bring back memories, dispense a feeling of wellbeing and, most importantly, his authentic, empathic and non-judgmental demeanour can give a person room to discuss their innermost feelings.

This is actually what brought me to counselling! I realised that people of all ages were talking to me through Ted, and I wanted to listen and respond better, so here I am! 

I am lucky enough to be fulfilling my dream of working with my best mate, and sharing his wonderful gift!

To see more of what Ted gets up to, take a look at his Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/tedthepetsastherapy?igsh=NWl1NmJlMGNlNjJi&utm_source=qr

Ted will be in the room when you arrive, and will usually greet you with a waggy tail and probably a quick sniff check to see if you’re bearing treats – he may even escort you to your seat. Once you’re seated, he may like a bit of a scratch and stroke before settling down somewhere in the room. Most commonly, he settles by the door “on guard”, or next to my client or myself.

As we begin our work together, it may not feel like there’s much therapy happening on Ted’s part, but just having him as a focus can help you relax, talk openly and honestly and begin to explore your experiences in life.

If you feel upset, or are distressed, it’s possible Ted will come over to you to check on you – offering you a chance to feel calmer and more connected by giving him a stroke or scratch. Ted is a wonder for the senses, and by being with Ted and touching him your blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety levels will lower. You may want to sit on the floor next to Ted or have him on the sofa next to you – that’s totally fine.

Ted is his own person, and I don’t force him to interact – that would be counterproductive. There’s something to explore in your reaction if he doesn’t interact much with you – what comes up for you when that happens?

When our session is over, Ted will get up to farewell you – and probably look for a treat. If you feel you would like to give him a treat, I have a supply on hand.

I first met Ted in early December 2017. My daughter and I had decided we would like a dog to complete our newly-relocated family, and we were busy scouring the local rescue centres. I had approached Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard, Somerset regarding a dog I had seen advertised on their web page, but after a chat we decided that she wasn't the right fit for us. Then (and thankfully) the fatal words came from the adoptions co-ordinator "have you seen Ted?"

I had, but as a husky cross I was told by friends that they have dreadful recall, are noisy, demanding - the list went on. I decided to ignore that and judge Ted on his own merits, rather than generalisations.

We arranged to meet him, and I was immediately struck by his calm and gentle nature as well as the fact he was just gorgeous! We were lucky enough to be allowed to take him home with us on the day they stopped adoptions prior to Christmas, and we have been forever thankful!

A year later, a friend suggested Ted might make a good therapy dog, so I filled in the necessary application forms for Pets As Therapy, we had an assessment in a very busy cafe at our local hospital and he passed with flying colours.

That was over 5 years ago and we have been busy ever since, visiting Exeter University, a local primary school and lots of other establishmnets.

When I started to consider opening my own counselling practice, there was only ever one desire - to incorporate Ted in my work, and I am so happy I was able to do this.

Ted is a husky x chow chow - his tongue is part blue! According to his records, he was born in October 2016, but can still be very puppy-like when he feels like it!