The name and its meaning encompass my treatment model. Animals are the protectors of your life story and part of your healing journey.
For many people, animals bring joy, laughter, and are great reminders for how to live in the world. “Animals are such agreeable friends- they ask no questions, they pass no criticism” ~George Eliot. This human-animal bond drives the animal assisted model of therapy. The biophiliahypothesis suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. ~Edward O. Wilson
Research indicates that Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is helpful for many reasons including: increased trust, rapport, and attendance/treatment compliance; increased empathy and respect; increased self-esteem and confidence; improved social skills; expression of feelings and emotion regulation; exposing and challenging negative core beliefs; boundaries, relationship-building, and improve communication; and trauma reprocessing and healing from compromised attachment.
There are health benefits for both humans and animals, such as lowered heart rate, blood pressure, and stress reactions coupled with greater relaxation, by petting an animal.
Research also illustrates that AAT is effective in treating a myriad of mental health issues, such as: Depression, Anxiety, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bi-Polar, and help people cope with grief/loss.
