I couldn't resist posting this picture of Walter having a rest after a full morning of counselling. Walter, therapy dog-in-training, sits in on counselling sessions with Jesse, one of our mental health clinicians, and provides comfort and appropriate distraction for our young people. As Walter matures, he is becoming more affectionate with and attentive to our youth but as you can see from this photo, he takes his breaks seriously!

I checked in with Jesse, one of our mental health clinicians and guardian of Walter, our therapy dog-in training, this week to see how it was going. Jesse helped me understand more about how Walter and therapy dogs in general assist with counselling. Besides the general soothing effect a dog can have on someone who is stressed, therapy dogs provide a welcome distraction for people whose therapy session may be getting intense or uncomfortable.

Jesse explained that in a recent session he had a client who was getting to a rough spot in telling his story and clearly needed to take a break. Often the client is not aware of this or if he/she is, doesn't know how to stay "I need a break". So in this case, the client distracted the situation by asking if Walter "always snores when he's sleeping". A quick segue away from the pain was all he needed.

Jesse laughed telling me that young people who can't remember his name just call him "the guy with the dog".

 

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