Animal-Assisted Therapy

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a complimentary therapy that uses specially trained animals to enhance the counseling process. At Embrace Strength Counseling, our certified therapy dog, Willow, provides emotional support and comfort to clients. Therapy dogs are helpful in reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood and overall well-being, providing companionship and affection, and facilitating grounding and coping skills.

Additionally, therapy dogs have been shown to provide significant physical health benefits, including reduced blood pressure, lower heart rate, slower breathing when anxious, and decreased pain. The simple act of petting an animal releases an automatic relaxation response.

How can animals help the therapeutic process?

In the journey of healing, animals emerge as gentle companions that bring a unique and profound energy to the therapeutic process. Their instinctual ability to sense emotions fosters a safe space where individuals can express their feelings without fear of judgment. The sheer presence of animals can reduce anxiety and encourage connection, allowing clients to explore their thoughts and emotions more freely. Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to enhance resilience, promote social interactions, and improve overall emotional well-being. Engaging with these compassionate beings can bridge the gap between trauma and healing, providing a unique avenue for expression that often feels more accessible than traditional methods. Their nonverbal communication invites reflection and understanding, allowing individuals to process their experiences in a way that feels organic and genuine. At Embrace Strength Counseling, we recognize that the bond formed with animals can pave the way for breakthroughs in therapy, fostering a sense of trust and security essential for transformative growth.

Why Willow Became a Therapy Dog

Willow’s handler, Catherine S. Tilford, always had dogs growing up and found comfort and solace in the unconditional love they provided. In the depths of her own struggles with mental health, dogs always helped her cope and find strength and resilience. When she became a therapist, one of her goals was to have a therapy dog someday and she got Willow, a standard goldendoodle, with that goal in mind. The journey to Willow becoming a therapy dog was, at times, in question though! As a puppy, Willow was VERY energetic and Catherine wasn’t sure she would be able to pass the test. She had the loving temperament but was very excitable. When Willow was 6 years old, Catherine met two trainers who gave her hope it was possible and started training Willow. Willow earned her certification as a therapy dog in 2022 and loves her job! She’s been giving love and comfort to clients at Embrace Strength Counseling since then and recently passed the Alliance of Therapy Dogs test so now she can start volunteering at hospitals and other settings. Our hope at Embrace Strength Counseling is to continue to expand our AAT offerings with other trained therapy dogs in the future.

What are Willow’s Commands?

• “Come”
• “Sit”
• “Down”
• “Shake”
• “Make A Friend”
• “Off”
• “No Lick”
• “Place”

Meeting Willow for a Session

If you would like to schedule an appointment or find out more about how our team of therapists can support you, please email our director at info@embracestrengthcounseling.com or call us at 303.720.9424. We offer a free initial 20-minute phone consultation so we can answer any questions you may have and see if it’s a good fit. Our team has daytime and evening appointments available, in-person and virtually.