What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Animal-assisted therapy integrates trained therapy animals into the therapeutic process to support emotional healing and connection. For many individuals, the presence of a calm and friendly therapy dog can help create a sense of safety and ease in the therapy room.
At Calm Haven Mental Health, animal-assisted therapy may be incorporated into sessions when it aligns with a client’s needs and comfort level. The presence of a therapy dog can help reduce anxiety, support emotional regulation, and create a welcoming environment where clients feel more at ease discussing difficult experiences.
Therapy Dog Support in Round Rock
Meet Sadie, Our Therapy Dog
Healing happens through connection — and sometimes that connection comes on four paws.
At Calm Haven Mental Health, we believe healing often begins with connection, and Sadie, our Yorkshire Terrier therapy dog-in-training, is here to help.
Sadie accompanies Jennifer Hodges, LCSW-S, to all in-person sessions. At just a year old, Sadie is still learning the calm behaviors expected of a therapy dog. While she is making wonderful progress, she can be energetic, curious, and very excited to meet new people.
Even so, Sadie’s affectionate personality and natural empathy already bring warmth and comfort to the therapy room. Her presence often helps clients feel more at ease, supported, and connected during sessions.
How Therapy Dogs Support Emotional Healing
Interacting with therapy animals can have meaningful emotional and physiological benefits. Research has shown that the presence of a therapy dog may help lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and support feelings of calm and emotional safety.
For some clients, the presence of a therapy dog can make therapy feel more approachable, particularly when beginning counseling for the first time. Therapy animals can also support grounding and emotional regulation during moments of distress or overwhelm.
At Calm Haven Mental Health, animal-assisted therapy is always integrated thoughtfully within the overall therapeutic process and guided by each client’s clinical needs.
Trauma-Informed Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy can be especially supportive for individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, or emotional stress. The calming presence of a therapy dog can help the nervous system settle and create a sense of safety that supports deeper therapeutic work.
For clients seeking additional support for trauma recovery, we may also integrate approaches such as trauma therapy when appropriate. Our goal is always to create an environment where clients feel supported, respected, and able to move forward at a pace that feels manageable.
A Gentle Reminder About Sadie
Because Sadie is still in training, she may occasionally display puppy behaviors such as curiosity or excitement when meeting new people. While she is learning quickly, we always want clients to feel comfortable in the therapy environment.
If you prefer sessions without Sadie present, we are happy to accommodate that preference. Your comfort and sense of safety in the therapy space always come first.
Begin Animal-Assisted Therapy at Calm Haven
If you are interested in animal-assisted therapy in Round Rock, TX, we invite you to reach out to Calm Haven Mental Health to learn more.
Whether you are navigating anxiety, trauma, or life transitions, our goal is to provide a calm and supportive environment where healing and growth can unfold naturally.