Wellness Wednesday: Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana
therapy dogs for emotional wellness
On this Wellness Wednesday, we’re highlighting a powerful and heartwarming tool in the journey toward healing: therapy dogs for emotional wellness. These four-legged companions do more than bring smiles—they help regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of safety and connection in therapy settings. At AACI, our therapy dogs play a special role in supporting emotional healing for teens, adults, and families alike.
Why Emotional Wellness Matters
Emotional wellness is more than just feeling happy. It’s the ability to manage stress, navigate relationships, and adapt to life’s ups and downs. When emotional health is neglected, it can show up as chronic anxiety, depression, or difficulty connecting with others. That’s why focusing on emotional support through therapy—especially with animals—can be life-changing.
How Therapy Dogs Support Emotional Healing
Therapy dogs for emotional wellness help in a variety of ways:
Reducing stress levels: Studies have shown that spending time with dogs can lower cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone.
Creating safety and trust: Dogs offer unconditional acceptance, which helps clients open up during therapy.
Providing regulation: Petting or sitting near a therapy dog can provide grounding and soothe the nervous system.
According to Mayo Clinic, therapy animals have been shown to improve emotional well-being, especially in clients dealing with trauma, anxiety, or social difficulties.
What Sessions Look Like at AACI
At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana, therapy sessions are designed around comfort and connection. A client might begin their session by greeting Sadie, one of our Saint Bernard therapy dogs, which can set the tone for a calm and connected space. As therapy unfolds, clients often feel more at ease sharing difficult thoughts or emotions while Sadie is nearby, offering quiet companionship.
Who Benefits from Animal-Assisted Therapy?
While everyone can benefit from emotional support, therapy dogs for emotional wellness are especially impactful for:
Teens experiencing social anxiety or peer pressure
Adults managing chronic stress or burnout
Families working through grief or major transitions
Children who’ve experienced trauma or attachment challenges
Looking to understand more? Visit American Humane’s Animal-Assisted Therapy page for insights on the growing field of therapeutic support animals.
How to Start Your Journey
If you or your teen could benefit from animal-assisted therapy, we’re here to help. Our approach is personalized, warm, and rooted in connection—with our team and our therapy dogs.
🐾 Ready to learn more about AACI’s animal-assisted counseling?
Visit our services page to see how we can support your emotional wellness journey.