As humans we have such a deep connection with the natural world but this is often lost within our Western society. However, one constant connection is our rich affection with man’s best friend - the dog. For this reason, I am currently training Teddy to be a therapy dog who can play such a key role in the journey to wholeness for my teenage and young adult clients.

Teddy, a two year old black Labrador, is very much in the training stage and whilst he does come into the therapy room during my counselling sessions when requested, he is yet to master the calmness that will be required moving forward. Working with teenagers and young adults, Teddy is often a fantastic ice breaker for my counselling clients and provides a safety in the sessions through his playfulness and love.

Whilst you won’t be greeted with calm, what you will undoubtedly get from Teddy is the warmest welcome you can imagine where he will shower you with lots of love, affection and the waggiest tail - although often this is to meet his own needs rather than the client’s! However, we know that when we stroke dogs we get a huge release of dopamine that floods the brain and makes us feel good. We also know the dog gets twice the hit which explains why they always come back for more.

Teddy’s training is ongoing and he is slowly becoming better at matching the mood of the room. Labradors are known to calm around three or four years old so in the next 12 months or so, I expect he will be a more calming part of the therapy journey.

It’s also important to know that if you don’t like dogs or want a dog in the room then he doesn’t come in. The client very much leads on this and it’s important to know that you won’t be bombarded by dog upon arrival at the counselling session.

If you wish to have a dog as part of your therapy and counselling journey, get in touch on 01822 661316 and we can discuss whether Teddy and I are a good fit for your needs.