Engaging Introductions: Capturing Your Audience’s Interest
Animal-assisted social work is a growing therapeutic approach that integrates trained animals—often dogs—into the counseling process. For many clients, connecting with a therapy animal can create a sense of comfort, grounding, and emotional safety that deepens the therapeutic experience. In my practice, my dogs Bexley and Finley often join sessions as co-therapists, offering gentle support and helping clients feel more at ease.
What Is Animal-Assisted Social Work?
Animal-assisted social work is the intentional use of animals to support therapeutic goals. It’s not simply having a pet in the room—it is a structured, evidence-informed practice where the presence, behavior, and relationship with the animal contribute to emotional regulation, connection, and healing.<br> Research continues to show that interacting with animals can lower stress, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increase feelings of connection. Therapy animals often help clients access emotions, build trust more easily, and feel grounded during difficult conversations.
Why Animals Make a Difference
Animals bring qualities to therapy that humans sometimes struggle to offer consistently. They are:
- Nonjudgmental
- Present in the moment
- Emotionally intuitive
- Comforting through physical presence
For clients who have experienced trauma, grief, or chronic stress, these qualities can create a powerful sense of safety and attunement. A therapy dog lying nearby, offering a gentle nudge, or simply breathing calmly can help a client regulate their nervous system and feel supported during vulnerable moments.
How Animal-Assisted Therapy Supports Trauma Work
Trauma often affects the parts of the brain responsible for safety, trust, and connection. Therapy animals can help rebuild these pathways by offering:
- Co-regulation (helping the client’s body calm through the animal’s calm presence)
- Grounding (touch or sight of the dog can anchor clients in the present)
- Attachment repair (consistent, gentle connection supports relational healing)
- Stress reduction (lower cortisol and heart rate)
For some clients, interacting with a dog feels safer than interacting directly with a therapist at first. The dog becomes a bridge to forming trust in the therapeutic relationship.
Who Benefits from Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Many clients find comfort and support in working with a therapy animal, including those navigating:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Grief and loss
- Anxiety or depression
- ADHD and OCD
- Life transitions
- Relationship stress
- Neurodivergence
Clients who may feel overwhelmed by face-to-face processing sometimes find it easier to engage while petting a dog or sharing space with a calm animal companion.
What Sessions Look Like
Animal-assisted sessions are always tailored to the client’s comfort level. For some, the dog may sit quietly nearby. For others, gentle touch, grounding exercises, or structured interactions may be part of the session. Participation is always optional—if someone prefers a session without the dogs, that is absolutely okay.
A Supportive, Grounded Presence
At its core, animal-assisted social work is about connection—connection with yourself, with your emotions, and with the therapeutic process. For many clients, animals gently open the door to that connection, providing warmth, grounding, and emotional support along the way.
If you’re curious about incorporating animal-assisted therapy into your healing process, I’m always happy to share more about how it works and what to expect.
