Why Animals Belong in the Therapy Room (Yes, Really)
Written by Ashley Saltzman, LCPC, NCC
As a therapist, I’ve had plenty of moments where words just don’t come easily for clients. Big feelings, long histories, trauma, anxiety. Sometimes sitting face-to-face and trying to talk it all out feels like too much. And that’s where animals can do something pretty incredible.
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) isn’t about replacing traditional therapy. It’s about enhancing it. Think of animals as gentle co-therapists who don’t interrupt, don’t judge, and are very good at just being with you.
So, what is animal-assisted therapy?
Animal-assisted therapy intentionally includes trained animals, most commonly dogs but sometimes horses, cats, or other animals, into the therapeutic process. These animals are trained and sessions are guided by a licensed mental health professional. This isn’t just “bringing a pet to work,” though I won’t deny that’s part of the joy.
Animals are used as part of specific therapeutic interventions to help clients feel safer, more regulated, and more open to connection. At the By Your Side Counseling office, it has been appropriate for Riggins the therapy dog to be present in some of my sessions.
Why animals help, even when talking is hard
One of the biggest benefits I see is how animals naturally lower stress. Petting an animal can reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, and increase oxytocin, the bonding hormone. In plain terms, your nervous system starts to calm down.
For clients with anxiety, trauma histories, or emotional dysregulation, this can be huge. When the body feels safer, the brain is more available for reflection, processing, and change.
Animals also:
Help break the ice. Awkward silences feel less awkward with a dog nearby.
Offer comfort without pressure.
Provide grounding in moments of overwhelm.
Increase emotional awareness, such as noticing a shift in the body when the animal comes closer.
Encourage connection and trust over time.
And honestly, some days it’s easier to talk to or about an animal than it is to talk directly to another human. That’s not avoidance. It’s an entry point.
What animal-assisted interventions might look like
Every therapist uses AAT differently, but here are a few common ways animals show up in sessions:
Regulation support: Clients pet or sit with an animal during difficult conversations or grounding exercises.
Emotional insight: We notice how clients respond to the animal, such as comfort, avoidance, or protectiveness, and explore what that might mirror in relationships.
Skill building: Practicing boundaries, consent, and attunement, like reading an animal’s cues.
Motivation and engagement: Especially helpful for kids, teens, and clients who feel resistant or burned out by therapy.
Sometimes the animal is central to the session. Sometimes they’re just quietly snoozing in the corner. Both matter.
Who can benefit from animal-assisted therapy?
While AAT can be helpful for many people, I’ve found it especially supportive for:
Children and adolescents
Clients with trauma
Clients with anxiety or depression
Individuals with attachment challenges
Clients who feel shut down, guarded, or overwhelmed in traditional talk therapy
That said, AAT isn’t for everyone. Some people have allergies, fears, or simply prefer a more traditional approach, and that’s completely okay. Therapy should always fit the client, not the other way around.
A final thought
One of the things animals teach us, without saying a word, is how powerful presence can be. They don’t rush the process. They don’t expect insight on a timeline. They meet people exactly where they are.
And honestly, that’s a pretty good model for therapy too.
If you’re curious about animal-assisted therapy, talk with a therapist who offers it and see if it feels like a good fit. Sometimes healing looks like hard conversations. And sometimes it looks like petting a dog while you finally take a deep breath.
Please be advised that the inclusion of Riggins, our therapy dog, in sessions is subject to the therapist’s professional discretion and may not be guaranteed at every appointment. If you are interested in exploring the possibility of incorporating Riggins into your therapeutic experience, please contact Ashley directly.