Wellness Wednesday: Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana
🐾 Therapy for Anxiety with Animals: How Animal-Assisted Counseling Supports Healing
What Is Therapy for Anxiety with Animals?
Therapy for anxiety with animals is an evidence-supported practice where trained therapy animals—like Sadie, our gentle St. Bernard—participate in counseling sessions to help reduce anxiety, foster emotional safety, and increase engagement.
At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana (AACI), we use this approach to support individuals of all ages, especially teens and adults struggling with social anxiety, generalized anxiety, or trauma-related symptoms.
🧠According to Verywell Mind, sessions with therapy dogs have been shown to increase oxytocin and decrease cortisol, supporting calm and emotional regulation
How Therapy Animals Reduce Anxiety
Therapy for anxiety with animals works through both biological and emotional pathways:
Oxytocin boost: Interaction with therapy dogs can increase oxytocin, the bonding hormone that promotes calm.
Grounding and sensory regulation: Stroking a dog’s fur or feeling their weight nearby can ground anxious individuals in the present.
Trust and attachment: For clients with a history of difficulty connecting with others, therapy animals can serve as a bridge to form safe therapeutic relationships.
Learn how we incorporate these tools into sessions at AnimalAssistedCounseling.net
Real-Life Benefits of Therapy for Anxiety with Animals
Here’s how clients may experience progress through this integrative approach:
Decreased panic symptoms during stressful sessions
Increased emotional expression, especially among teens
Greater comfort entering and staying in the counseling room
Fewer physical symptoms of anxiety (tightness, shakiness, shallow breathing)
📚A study published on TherapyDogs.com found that therapy dogs in educational and clinical settings reduce stress and anxiety, helping normalize blood pressure and heart rate during sessions
Why It’s a Good Fit for Teens and Adults
Whether you’re a parent concerned about your teen or an adult struggling with chronic anxiety, therapy for anxiety with animals may help build the foundation for healing.
At AACI, we’ve found animal-assisted sessions help:
Teens feel less judged and more engaged
Adults find calm and presence in a safe setting
Families build emotional vocabulary through shared experiences
Is Therapy for Anxiety with Animals Right for You?
You might benefit if you or your loved one:
Struggles with traditional talk therapy
Feels more at ease around animals than people
Has a history of anxiety, trauma, or sensory sensitivity
Wants a calm, grounded therapeutic environment
And remember—Our therapy animals are not just a cute face. They are trained to be a co-therapist in your healing journey. 🐶💛
🐾 Ready to Begin?
We know that starting therapy can feel overwhelming. But with the right support, healing is absolutely possible. If therapy for anxiety with animals sounds like the gentle, grounded support you or your child needs, we’d love to connect.