Unleashing Healing: The Therapeutic Power of Dogs in Counseling

Often beginning therapy can be an incredibly overwhelming experience for people. Individuals are consumed with anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, unsure of how to understand themselves; let alone the apprehension of entrusting a random stranger with the intricate pieces of one’s life. It has been found that using a dog in a therapeutic setting offers a bridge to help connect the client and clinician. Trust within a therapeutic dynamic is essential for any effective therapy to be completed; however, it can be difficult to build if it has been shattered previously in a person’s life. Canines can help foster a sense of safety and help clients open up and become more vulnerable in session which helps improve the overall effectiveness of therapy.

Research has found that “Petting an animal while discussing traumatic memories may even help those memories feel less painful.” This is a beneficial aspect to helping clients who participate in Manna’s Eating Disorder and Trauma IOP/PHP programs. Some benefits to having CGC animals in a therapeutic setting are:

· Helps to release “happy” hormones such a serotonin (helping to regulate mood), dopamine, and oxytocin.

· Reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms

· Lower cortisol levels which is the stress hormone

· Decrease blood pressure

· Improve pain management

· Assist in recall of painful memories

· Slow breathing

· Improve social skills related to confidence

· Helps foster and build sympathy and empathy

· Provides a sense of comfortability and safety when talking about one’s emotions

Scout is a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) who accompanies Suzanne, one of Manna’s part time therapists, in both individual and group settings at Manna. She is a 2.5-year-old Brittany doodle whose breed is known for their intelligence and high energy. She is quick to be the first one to greet you and is known to give lots of snuggles on the couch or pets within the group room. Scout went through a rigorous training course created by the American Kennel Club to certify her as a CGC dog. When Scout is not at work, she loves to play fetch and snuggle on the couch. She is a silly but sweet girl and has a lot of love for everyone she meets.

"One of my favorite things," Suzanne says, "is to watch Scout create and build bonds with clients when talking about hard things. I can see walls come down almost instantly. It is exciting to watch her explode with joy when she encounters a client when they walk into their therapy session. Scout has learned commands to help provide a sense of comfort by gentling placing her head in your lap or leaning her body against a client’s leg; sometimes she enjoys just being close by and taking a nap whether that be on the couch or in her kennel."

Suzanne is cautious to take into consideration the different emotional and physical needs of clients. Scout is not desired in all sessions which is understandable and has a kennel when needed. She is hypoallergenic making her accessible for comfort to most people. Suzanne monitors Scouts needs within session and will remove her and give her breaks as needed (just as we all need).

Suzanne aspires to one day obtain an Animal Assisted Therapy certification for Scout to provide specific counseling interventions for clients. For now, she is a friendly face to help greet, bring comfort, joy, and sometimes laughter to difficult moments.

-Suzanne Smith MS, LAPC