Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) integrates a trained therapy animal into psychotherapy to support emotional regulation, safety, connection, and healing. For many individuals, the presence of a calm and attuned therapy dog can help the body and nervous system feel safe enough to engage more deeply in the therapeutic process.

Research shows that interacting with trained psychotherapy dogs can activate the bodys relaxation response and support nervous system regulation. Simple interactions such as petting a dog or leaning into a dogs physical comfort can increase oxytocin, serotonin, and prolactin, hormones associated with bonding, calm, and improved mood. 

Studies also show therapy animal interactions may lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and increase feelings of safety, comfort, and emotional security. This can support the shift form a fight-flight-freeze-fawn stress state toward parasympathetic regulation, which is essential for trauma processing and emotional regulation.

AAT naturally supports somatic awareness and grounding. The presence of a therapy dog can help clients practice mindful touch and co-regulation, stay present in their bodies during difficult emotions, increase feelings of safety and connection, and increase feelings of being accepted, comforted, and emotionally at ease during therapy sessions.

Mindy is a gentle, intuitive psychotherapy trained dog who joins to sessions to support safety, grounding, and connection. What makes Mindy especially meaningful to the therapeutic setting is her own story of recovery. After experiencing trauma earlier in life, Mindy has shown incredible resilence and healing.Her experience reflects an important truth we often explore in therapy, that healing is possible. Mindy’s calm presence can help clients feel less alone, offering comfort, warmth, and a reminder that recovery and growth can happen even after difficult experiences.

If you are curious whether working with Mindy could be helpful for you, feel free to ask about incorporating AAT into your treatment.

Email Support@hmrwellness.com with questions.