What is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) incorporates the human-animal bond in the psychotherapy process. Scientific research continues to explore how and why humans are able to develop such strong social inter-species connections with animals, especially mammals, but it’s that ability that makes AAT an effective therapeutic tool.
How does AAT work?
Some of the oldest structures in our brains include the brainstem, amygdala, and the limbic system, and they generate our “emotional action” systems: fear, rage, lust, care, panic, play, and seeking. All mammals have these ancient neural structures in common. Humans later developed the neocortex, the core of our cognitive abilities–our “thinking” center–which has been incredibly beneficial to our development as a species. However, integrating these new, sophisticated upgrades have also presented some challenges.
Analyzing our emotional selves with our highly rational neocortex can provide some insight, but for healing and change to happen, we must gain access to our emotional selves. It’s a crucial part of psychotherapy. Using other therapeutic approaches, like AAT, can help speed up the process or even bridge the divide between our logical and emotional selves.
Animals don’t struggle with conflicts between emotion and logic. They live in the moment, their emotions free and unhindered, and their kindness, intuition, and openness resonates with us humans in deeply profound ways. When we want to communicate with them, we must let go of our judgments and logic and tune into their frequency, so to speak.
Think about the last time you played with your pet or had an opportunity to play with someone else’s. Your voice changed, your body language relaxed, and your mood lifted, if only for the moment. That intuitive, effortless shift immediately gave you a backstage pass to your emotional self.
AAT leverages our human-animal bond to help us get in touch with our emotions and gently peel back the layers so we can find the root of our hurt and pain. Only then are we able to discover solutions so our healing and recovery can begin.
What does AAT look like during a therapy session?
AAT can be customized for different needs and comfort levels. Typically, I work with my petite Goldendoodle River who came from a breeder that specializes in breeding service and therapy dogs. River has been trained as a therapy dog, and he often joins me at the office.
While he’s the official greeter for anyone who comes through the door, when River is part of psychotherapy, he’s trained to wait until he’s given permission to interact with a patient. He’s exceptionally intuitive to emotions, so I’ve learned to trust his instincts. For some patients, he offers comfort in ways they can’t accept from other humans, in the form of cuddling and snuggling with them. Others find it easier to tell River about their deepest hurts. On occasion, River’s talents as an entertainer come in handy, helping to lighten the mood when things have turned sad or dark. He has a repertoire of tricks combined with his own brand of canine humor that never fails to make people smile and put them at ease.
One of the most overlooked benefits of AAT is how simply petting a dog or cat lowers our cortisol (known as the “stress hormone”) and increases the oxytocin in our brains, which has a calming effect. These additional benefits can support a more relaxed, peaceful experience during therapy.
Testimonials
“I met River on my very first day of meeting Dr. Forest. I remember the day for so many reasons, but I remember River especially. I grew up in a household where there were no animals allowed; one reason was due to allergy concerns, and the other was due to an overall general dislikeness towards dogs, cats, etc, instilled in me by my parent. So, when I met River, I was quite literally “afraid” of him. That fear not only morphed into an abundance of love, but his comfort and unconditional love and patience – and the overall sense of calmness he instills in the room – is profound. Not only has Dr. Forest been there for me in my darkest moments, but River has been there for me too. Moreover, the connection I have with River inspired me to adopt my own dog. Animal therapy has helped me in my life in more ways than I could ever explain. And it all roots back to River. I am so lucky to have met him.”
“River is not only a friendly dog, but he’s very intelligent, well trained, and utterly adorable and affectionate. There are no pretenses with a dog like River. He ‘gets’ you immediately and then makes an instant decision about your needs. When he jumps in your lap or wags his tail and hovers lovingly nearby, you relax. It’s an automatic response. River is truly an extension of Dr. Forest’s therapeutic approach. She is compassionate, caring, accepting, and non-judgmental. Dr. Forest demonstrates this by her demeanor and her words–River demonstrates this by his actions. I trust them both completely. They are the perfect team.”
“River’s presence lowers my anxiety and facilitates a comfortable and soothing environment. When River is in the room, it is impossible not to relax. I feel less overwhelmed and find it much easier to open up when discussing the many components of my disabilities.”
“I was introduced to River approximately a year ago. I was not in the best of moods that particular day. However, when I met River for the first time, it changed my whole mood for the rest of the session. River showed me his tricks when I was sad and gave me high-fives when I made a breakthrough. I felt a very strong sense that River was innately aware of my emotions as I discussed my feelings. Since that time, not only do I look forward to appointments with River, I try to book my appointments around his busy schedule.”
River’s Letter
Hi guys!
Dr. Forest and I were communicating the other day about how much we both enjoy helping her patients. New patients, though, might find the idea of including a therapy dog as part of their sessions kind of weird. Now, I gotta be honest. I couldn’t figure out why, at first. I mean, look at me! I’m funny, I’m cute, and I know my business–I’m a well-trained canine! Then Dr. Forest reminded me how I felt when she, my #1 best trainer ever, brought in a new trainer to help me learn new things and work on adjusting of my *ahem* less adorable behaviors. (I have no idea what those could even be…) While I’m a people-pooch–bring on meeting new peeps!–even I was a little skeptical of the new trainer until I got to know them and knew I could trust their expertise just like I trust Mom’s–uh, Dr. Forest’s.
We decided that maybe if new patients had a chance to get to know me and my work, they might be more comfortable asking me to join them during their sessions. So I’d like to tell you a little about me and about my very first client, and while I like to think of all of my clients as my favorites (I love you all!), I think you’ll understand why this one’s my favorite-est.
I’ve had a pretty fortunate life. I was born in Texas at Timshell Farm. What’s really awesome about my breeders is that they specialize in breeding therapy and service dogs. Since Dr. Forest knew she wanted to include Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) in her psychotherapy toolbelt, I–I mean, Timshell Farms–was the obvious choice. As a petite Goldendoodle, I have the temperament of a Golden Retriever and the smarts of a poodle (plus a bit of their gorgeous curls). And the best part–I’m lap-sized!
When Mom and Dad–erm, I mean, Dr. Forest and Dad–picked me up at the airport and we saw each other for the first time, we knew we were meant to be a family. On the way home, though, they warned me that my big brother might not be as welcoming as they had been. You see, Charlie had a much rougher start in life, and things weren’t going as well for him as they had hoped.
Charlie was born in a shelter, and for the first nine months of his life, he lived in five different homes. Can you imagine?! Being a little bitty baby, and being rejected by five different families? He’d also been abused, so he’d developed PTSD. Yep, even dogs can get that. He’d growl and snap at anyone when he felt afraid, even Mom and Dad. My big bro didn’t trust anyone. Human-anyone’s, that is. It was humans that hurt him again and again. Lucky for me, he didn’t have issues with other dogs, and he’d already started his rehabilitation with mom and dad before I got there.
Man, I didn’t know much in my younger days, but I knew pain when I saw it. Not really sure how I could sense things like that, but I’ve always had a knack. (Wouldn’t it have been nice if I’d been able to sense something more fun? Maybe where extra treats are stashed?) Charlie’s hurt and pain broke my heart, and I decided right then that I was going to love it right out of him. If only that worked, eh? While we all loved Charlie to bits, the fear and hurt deep inside him needed to be addressed before he could accept our love and trust that we would always be his family.
Charlie had regular sessions with Stacie Lemieux, an amazing dog trainer right here in Los Angeles , and she helped him sort out all that distrust and fear. For example, if Charlie decided he wanted a toy or, well, anything really, and a human tried to take it from him, he’d growl and snap at them, even if they were really nice about it. Stacie showed him that if he willingly gave her the toy, she’d not only give him the bestest treats ever, she’d even give him the toy back! Talk about a win-win!
There were lots more lessons and exercises that Charlie experienced with Stacie, and in time, he learned how to trust others and let his guard down. If you met him now, you’d never even know my big bro ever had any issues with anyone! He’s still our big protector–nobody messes with our family! But only when he needs to be. He’s the best cuddler ever, and you want to learn how to chase birds? Charlie’s the bird-chasing expert! He and I even learned to co-exist peacefully with our feline brothers and sisters! (Though, if we’re being honest, they have really sharp claws and super fast reflexes. That’s enough to keep me and Charlie on our best behavior…)
Charlie’s the one that showed me (and my mom) what my path should be in life. I’ve been through all sorts of training, and I’m a certified Canine Good Citizen, too! When patients decide they want to add AAT as part of their psychotherapy, I put all my emotion-sensing skills to work to help them feel less anxious and more relaxed. In fact, some people find that talking to me is easier than talking to another human. I’ll let them snuggle me close and say all the things they need to say, as I know that’s the best way to help them heal.
Hopefully, sharing a bit about my story will help you decide if AAT might be helpful for you. I think it’s always the right choice! But Dr. Forest tells me I’m a bit biased on that front. Not sure I agree, but sometimes human logic just doesn’t make much sense to me. But then, all that logic is why I’m needed–to get in there and love up the emotional side!
Hope to see you soon.
River xoxo