Animal-Assisted Therapy

Adventures with Jazz!

Sometimes other humans suck. Sometimes looking a person in the eye feels too hard. The pain, the shame, and the anger are too much. Animal-Assisted Therapy – in this case, dog assisted – utilizes a very talented and well-trained animal within the therapy relationship to help with self-regulation, trust and learning about boundaries.

Therapy dogs are fun, but they are also hard workers, and learn how to be an assistant to the therapist as well as the client. They learn how to help in moments of deep sadness, anger, and anxiety. Dogs innately know good boundaries and have a sense of a person. We can learn a lot from how they handle emotions to how they treat humans.

Jazz is my Therapy Dog in Training. He isn’t quite ready to be a regular at my office. When he is, he will have a kennel – not because he needs to be confined. It is because everyone needs a safe place – including doggies! His kennel is a safe place, and he goes there when he needs to rest or has done too much work for the day.

Meet Jazz!

I’m a therapy dog in training! My mommy got me from an amazing woman who raises therapy dogs.

A long time ago, my mommy was scared of dogs; but when she met my grandpa doggy, Boudin, she learned that dogs could be sweet and amazing for helping people.

Right now, I’m just a puppy…

So, I’m learning a little at a time, just like a baby.

I’m super energetic. Until I grow up a little, I won’t be coming to work with my mom. But you might get to see me from time to time. Before too long, I’ll be her regular sidekick! She uses me for lots of examples – because when I learn, I like for other people to learn from me.

One important thing about dogs who work with counselors is that we take our jobs seriously. We’re excellent teaching about boundaries and great for showing people how to calm down during a stressful time.

While I’m growing up…

I’ll be working hard, getting bigger and smarter every day, and I hope that I get to meet you soon! In the meantime, if you want to check in with me, I’ll be adding some posts on my mommy’s blog and will tag them #adventureswithjazz.

That way, everyone can keep up with my growth and learning!

Making my tail wag –

My favorite game is fetching, and I loooooooove to play in the water — especially on a hot day. But I’m not a big fan of baths, and I’d go for ten walks a day if my mommy would take me!

I’m super furry and soft, and I love people. I’m trying to learn to calm down because it turns out, not everyone likes a kiss on the face the first time you meet them! My favorite trick is a high five, and I’ll do it over and over – even if you don’t give me a treat!

Please reach out today (806) 316-5131. Let’s get started.