Animal Assisted Psychotherapy

Why work with animals during treatment?

Research shows that animals can reduce physiological and psychological stress signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, which allows clients to feel calmer and less anxious during sessions and thus more able to engage in therapy. Animals are empathic, nonjudgmental, affectionate and give unconditional positive regard, which enables a client to feel welcome, accepted and comforted in session. Session with an animal can also be fun and energizing, which may be a welcome change for clients who have previously had unsuccessful therapeutic experiences.

Animal assisted psychotherapy is unique in its ability to combine thinking, feeling and behaving within one intervention. Working with the animals is a hands-on, experiential exercise and clients no longer just talk about their issues but are engaged in activities.

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Eagala

THE EAGALA MODEL – A TEAM APPROACH

We use the Eagala Model as it uses an innovative solution that provides a unique space for an emotionally safe, hands-on experience for clients. With real-time feedback, you are able to reach issues where traditional talk-based therapies leave off.

During a session you are joined by a licensed, credentialed Mental Health Professional and a qualified Equine Specialist who structure sessions incorporating horses to effectively address the your treatment plan or learning goals, helping with issues such as addiction, domestic abuse, behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety and trauma.

Horses are the perfect partner.

Because horses are highly sensitive, you can work through your life struggles by interacting with the horses without feeling judgment or interpretation by another person.

All the work is done on the ground with no riding involved.

The horses are equal partners on the team and are left unencumbered to allow them to interact freely with you.

Overcoming challenges by being the expert in your own life.

Everyone has the innate ability to solve their own problems. The role of your Eagala team is to provide guidance that assists in your own process to create lasting solutions.

Meet Ruby

Therapy Dog

Ruby is a rescue and was adopted by Judith Liu in 2017. Ruby is a registered therapy dog who joins Judith Liu in sessions (at clients request) as part of animal assisted therapy sessions. Ruby has also been working with Judith Liu since 2017, volunteering at local local hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, colleges, schools and summer camps.