Animal-Assisted Therapy for Children and Teens
Welcome to Our Animal-Assisted Play Therapy Service!
At Kentlands Psychotherapy, our child therapists believe in the transformative power of animals to help kids and teens overcome challenges and thrive. Therefore, our Animal-Assisted Therapy for Children and Teens program combines the therapeutic benefits of play with the unconditional love and support provided by our furry friends.
Why Animal-Assisted Play Therapy?
Children and teenagers often face a myriad of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Our unique approach utilizes the healing bond between humans and animals. Clients thrive within a safe and nurturing therapeutic environment that fosters growth and healing. Through interactive play sessions with our specially trained therapy animals, children and teens can:
1. Build Trust and Communication: Animals create a non-judgmental space where children and teens feel comfortable expressing themselves, helping them develop essential communication skills. For example, children can practice communicating their thoughts and feelings during play with the dog, the ultimate non-judgmental communication partner!
2. Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Interacting with our gentle animals can reduce stress and anxiety levels, promoting emotional well-being. Specifically, this can include some children’s anxiety about coming to and talking in therapy!
3. Improve Social Skills: Animal interactions encourage empathy, compassion, and cooperation, fostering healthier relationships with peers and family members. As such, children can practice “reading” the dog’s receptivity to social interactions, articulate those social assessments to their therapist, and respond appropriately to that relational feedback loop from the animal.
4. Enhance Self-Esteem: Achieving small milestones during play therapy sessions can boost self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment. For example, having the child successfully train a therapy dog to perform specific behaviors on command.
5. Develop Coping Strategies: Children and teens learn valuable coping mechanisms as they navigate challenges alongside their animal companions. Moreover, this can even include processing their feelings if the dog does not always respond to them with the enthusiasm they are hoping for, and translating that experience to social interactions in general.
Our Team and Therapy Animals
Our dedicated team of licensed therapists and certified animal handlers works together to ensure a safe and therapeutic experience. We have two therapy animals, each with a unique personality and set of abilities, carefully trained to meet the specific needs of your child or teenager.
While Riley may greet you when you arrive for a therapy appointment at our office or be present for medication appointments with Dr. Russell Carr, Winnie works with her handler partner, Elsy Estrada, who provides Animal-Assisted Therapy services to children and teens.
Is Animal Assisted Play Therapy Right for Your Child?
If your child or teen struggles with emotional or behavioral issues, our Animal-Assisted Play Therapy program might be the key to their growth and healing. Our Animal-assisted therapist for children offers personalized assessments to determine the most suitable approach for your kid’s needs.
Contact us today to learn more about how Animal-Assisted Play Therapy can positively impact your child’s life. Together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future.
It's not an easy time to be a kid. Perhaps it never is, but now it's especially true. Let us help you understand and support your child's needs.
Is your teen struggling with school, in their relationships with friends, with you? Do they seem irritable, withdrawn, unmotivated, sad? Our therapist know how to help.
Are you looking to make some aspect of your otherwise good relationship better? Maybe you’ve tried all the strategies that make sense to you.