L
O
R
E
T
T
A
Helping dogs are special. Loretta and Goose are no exceptions. She is a 3-legged wonder dog. He was abandoned by a dumpster. They are both valuable additions to the office. They make it easier to address hardship and hurt. Many children report feeling more comfortable, calm and positive when a helping animal is present. However, if you or your child are allergic to or fearful of dogs, we will certainly meet in a room without them! They can still be useful, even in their absence. Loretta endured an accident, an amputation, a recovery and multiple re-homing experiences. Goose was left homeless in a box, bottle fed by volunteers, and then adopted by us. Their stories are powerful for some older children and teens. These dogs embody the therapeutic process of healing and growth.
G
O
O
S
E
GOOSE
LORETTA & GOOSE
Animal Assisted Therapy in Aledo, Texas
Animal assisted therapy can help children and teens feel calmer, safer, and more comfortable engaging in counseling with the support of therapy dogs. It can complement play therapy, parent coaching, or teen therapy based on each family's goals and comfort level.
Animal assisted therapy pairs traditional counseling with the calming presence of a trained therapy dog, helping many children and teens feel more comfortable opening up during sessions. This experienced, trusted child and family therapist in Aledo, Texas offers animal assisted therapy alongside play therapy, parent coaching, and a customized approach for tweens and teens, giving families flexible options built around what helps their child feel safest.
What Is Animal Assisted Therapy and How Does It Help Children?
Helping dogs are special, and the two dogs who support sessions at this Aledo, Texas practice are no exception. Animal assisted therapy incorporates a trained, gentle dog into the counseling process, giving children and teens a comforting, nonjudgmental presence while they work through difficult emotions. Many children report feeling more comfortable, calm, and positive when a helping animal is present, which often makes it easier to build trust with a therapist more quickly.
Meet the Therapy Dogs: Loretta and Goose
Loretta is a three-legged wonder dog. She experienced an accident, an amputation, a long recovery, and multiple rehoming situations before finding her place in this practice. Her story of resilience resonates deeply with children and teens who are facing their own hard circumstances.
Goose was abandoned by a dumpster. He was left homeless in a box, bottle fed by volunteers, and later adopted into the practice full time. Like Loretta, Goose's journey from hardship to security mirrors the healing process many clients are going through themselves.
Both dogs are valuable additions to the office. They make it easier to address hardship and hurt, giving kids a living example that difficult beginnings do not have to define the rest of the story. Their stories are especially powerful for older children and teens, who often connect with the dogs' history of resilience in a way that opens the door to deeper conversation.
How Do Therapy Dogs Help Kids Feel Comfortable in Counseling?
Walking into a therapist's office can feel intimidating for a child or teenager, especially during a first visit. A calm, friendly therapy dog helps ease that tension immediately. Instead of focusing on the pressure of talking to an unfamiliar adult, a child can pet, sit with, or simply observe the dog, which naturally lowers anxiety and opens the door to conversation. This is especially valuable for kids who are anxious, withdrawn, or hesitant to engage in traditional talk therapy.
What If My Child Is Allergic to or Afraid of Dogs?
This practice understands that animal assisted therapy is not the right fit for every family, and accommodations are always available. If a child or parent is allergic to or fearful of dogs, sessions can absolutely take place in a room without them. Even in their absence, Loretta and Goose can still be useful, since their stories of resilience and healing can be shared and discussed as part of the therapeutic process without the dogs physically present.
How Does Animal Assisted Therapy Support Older Children and Teens?
While animal assisted therapy benefits clients of all ages, it is particularly effective with older children and teens who may be more guarded in a traditional counseling setting. The dogs' stories of hardship, recovery, and resilience embody the therapeutic process of healing and growth in a way that resonates deeply with adolescents. This approach is a regular part of this practice's customized teen counseling, which blends animal assisted therapy with art and mindfulness techniques designed specifically for tweens and teens.
How Is Animal Assisted Therapy Combined with Play Therapy and Family Counseling?
For younger children, animal assisted therapy is often woven directly into play therapy sessions, giving kids another comforting, natural outlet for expressing emotions alongside toys, art, and imaginative play. Families who want to reinforce this progress at home can also explore parent coaching and filial therapy, which teaches parents how to use play therapy techniques between sessions. Combining these approaches gives children consistent support both in the therapy room and at home.
How Do I Schedule Animal Assisted Therapy in Aledo, Texas?
Families throughout Aledo and neighboring communities can request an appointment online or contact this experienced, trusted practice directly to ask about incorporating animal assisted therapy into a child's or teen's counseling plan. Every family's needs, including allergies, fears, or simple preference, are discussed upfront so sessions feel safe and comfortable from the very first visit. Call 817-229-7900 or visit the home page to learn more about this practice's full range of child, teen, and family counseling services.