I'm excited to report that an additional mode of therapy for our youth is being introduced at Covenant House. Our Mental Health Team is expanding. I'd like you to meet Walter, who will be helping out in session with Animal Assisted Therapy.

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. There are many advantages to having Animal Assisted Therapy available to our youth: AAT has been proven to greatly reduce anxiety for clients with psychotic and mood disorders and helps in opening the lines of communication. Having a therapy animal available has shown to improve attendance rates as many clients wary of counselling often have an easier time initially bonding with another ‘person' that cannot speak back and that provides unconditional love.

Though Walter will technically be considered a ‘therapy dog in training' until he is old enough for testing (1 year), he will be assisting in therapy, becoming socialized with our youth, and becoming accustomed to the sights, smells, and sounds of our buildings as of Monday, November 23rd as part of his ongoing training.

Do you have any experience with therapy dogs or know anyone who has?

Walter

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