What is Canine or Dog Assisted Therapy?
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Canine or Dog-Assisted Therapy is counselling in which the therapeutic process is assisted by the presence, active or passive, of a canine friend. At Sandstone Counselling Centre, “Sunshine” our appropriately named Shitzu-Poodle cross attends sessions with Catherine. Sunshine provides a warm welcome and a supportive presence during sessions. The degree of contact between clients and Sunshine is client-decided. Some clients connect with Sunshine from a comfortable distance, others prefer a more involved approach.
Meet Sunshine a Counselling Service Dog
Sunshine is a 4 year-old Shitzu-Poodle cross with an insatiable desire for social connection, both human and animal. He has been Sandstone’s Therapy Dog since just past his first birthday, assisting Catherine in sessions. He joins sessions with his enthusiasm, greeting each client with the love and affection of a long-lost friend.
Should Sunshine join a session, once he has met you, he settles in for a nap, either on the therapy couch beside you or at your feet. Some clients stroke his fur while moving through the content of the session, others quietly appreciate his warm comforting presence.
From time to time when appropriate and possible Sunshine is present during counselling sessions. If you would like to book your counselling session with Sunshine present, please indicate this at the time of booking.
Co-Counselling with a Canine “Therapist”
Catherine and Sunshine often work together at the Kamloops North counselling office location.
Walk and Talk Therapy with Canine Assisted Therapy
Ask us about the combination of Walk and Talk Therapy with Canine Assisted Therapy, essentially, counselling therapy while on a walk with Sunshine. This approach has been highly successful, simultaneously offering the benefits of movement, therapeutic conversations, fresh air and animal-assisted therapy.