Canine-Assisted Therapy

Sometimes healing comes on four paws. Animal-assisted therapy brings the calming, supportive presence of a trained therapy animal into the counseling space. With a dog by your side, sessions can feel more grounded, safe, and approachable. Interacting with an animal can lower stress, ease anxiety, and help make difficult conversations feel more manageable. Whether through gentle companionship, playful engagement, or simply the comfort of having a nonjudgmental friend nearby, animal-assisted therapy offers a unique path to connection and emotional wellbeing. 

Differences between types of working dogs in the helping fields

Service Dog
Specially trained to perform specific tasks for one person with a disability (such as guiding someone who is visually impaired, alerting to seizures, or retrieving items). Service dogs are legally protected and allowed in public places under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Therapy Dog
A therapy dog works alongside a professional, such as a counselor, to provide comfort, support, and connection during sessions or visits. These dogs are not service animals and do not have public access rights outside the settings where they are invited.

Facility Dog
A facility dog is specially trained to work in a specific environment—such as a hospital, school, or counseling center—under the guidance of a handler. They support multiple people rather than just one individual.

Emotional Support Dog
An emotional support animal provides comfort and companionship to its owner simply through its presence. Unlike service dogs, they are not trained to perform specific tasks. Emotional support animals are not granted public access rights but may qualify for certain housing accommodations.

Learn more about Samson, Anna Coleman's therapy dog!