Animal-Assisted Counseling
is a type of counseling that involves animals as a part of the treatment plan. The overall goal is to improve a client’s social and emotional functioning by way of interacting with the animal under the facilitation of a Licensed Professional Counselor during their therapy sessions. AAC is appropriate for most clients ages 10 and up.
Animal-Assisted Play Therapy is designed for children to receive social and emotional benefits from having an animal involved in their play therapy sessions. AAPT may include but is not limited to your child teaching the animal new commands and skills, use of the dog to create empathy, understanding while improving social skills, having the dog engage in common therapy games and play activities with your child.
In both AAC and AAPT settings animals can provide comfort and support in a non-judgmental manner. They can add joy and a playful attitude to any session. Animals can help clients develop empathy, experience unconditional acceptance and open up about challenging life experiences.
Working with animals can also contribute to physiological benefits, such as decreased heart rates and blood pressure, which adds to a person’s overall health and well-being.
Animal-Assistants at Olive Branch
At Olive Branch, we have two canine assistants. Autumn (white and beige), who is immediately available and Gertie (tricolor), who is currently in training. Before meeting Autumn or Gertie, the clients will be taught how to properly greet them and how to understand some of their non-verbal communication and basic commands, so the experience is positive for everyone.
Any client interested in AAC or AAPT must schedule an intake session to go over the client’s history with animals as well as what to expect when having Autumn or Gertie in the therapy session.
All AAC and AAPT appointments are a private pay service and will not be filed with insurance companies.
AAC and AAPT Fee Schedule
Intake session 45 minutes $100
Counseling or Play Therapy session 60 minutes $80-130 (sliding scale)
AAC and AAPT appointments are available:
Available Monday through Friday, morning and afternoons. Will vary depending on the clinician’s schedule.