Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) utilizes the human/animal bond as an integral part of the treatment process. Currently at Joyful Spirit Counseling, dogs are involved in the counseling sessions. Sometimes their presence is all that is required, and other times they can play an integral part of what transpires.

The following are only some of the benefits animals add to the sessions.

• The presence of the animal allows the client a sense of comfort which then promotes rapport in the therapeutic relationship.
• The animals appear to help many clients overcome their anxiety about going into therapy.
• The touching of the animal and the proximity to the animal may also represent an external degree of safety within many clients.
• The animals add the dimensions of laughter and joy which act as great stress reducers.