Animal Assisted Play Therapy
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is an intervention facilitated by a trained mental health provider to incorporate animals such as dogs, cats, horses, and fish into clinical sessions to enhance growth. AAT has been shown to increase emotion regulation, pro-
social skills, cognitive acuity, and physical wellbeing. AAT can be incorporated into a number of settings including hospitals, schools, and therapy offices and can be usedwith a variety of clients.
How It Works
Children (and sometimes adults) often find it easier to express themselves and build trust when animals are present. Play, by nature, feels safe and engaging. When combined with the calming and joyful presence of an animal, it can:
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Reduce anxiety and stress
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Encourage positive social skills
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Build confidence and self-esteem
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Support emotional regulation
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Strengthen problem-solving and communication
What can be addressed?
Meet Cleo!
Cleo is an 8 year old Pomeranian mix. She is a certified therapy dog through Alliance of
Therapy Dogs. She has experience working in all types of settings including libraries,
schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and offices.
Techniques
- Couch Cuddling
- Trick Connoisseur; Treats required
- Zoomies; Available in all locations and weather conditions
- Bone Chewing
- Tail Wagging
A note about AAT at Oak City Counseling: Sometimes therapy dogs need a break too! There may be some days that Cleo is not available or that AAT is unavailable for a particular day/time, thus we can't guarantee that every client of Lena Schulte or every session with Lena will have Cleo participating. AAT can be incorporated into existing sessions as an adjunct but may not be available each session.
Training & Certification in Animal Assisted Social Work
Lena Schulte, MSW, LCSW is Certified in Animal Assisted Social Work.
When families choose therapy that includes animals, it’s important to know that the process is rooted in professionalism, training, and ethics. Becoming certified in Animal Assisted Social Work (AASW) involves specialized education for both the therapist and the therapy animal.
What the Training Looks Like
Social workers who pursue this certification go through a multi-step process, which usually includes:
- Graduate-level education in social work or counseling, with a focus on child development, play therapy, and trauma-informed care.
Specialized coursework in animal-assisted interventions—covering how and when animals can best support therapeutic goals. - Hands-on training with therapy animals to learn safe, ethical, and effective ways to include them in sessions.
- Supervised practice where the social worker demonstrates competency in integrating animals into therapy.
Training for the Animals, Too
The animals aren’t just “friendly pets.” They receive extensive training to ensure they are:
- Comfortable around children and adults in a variety of settings
- Skilled at responding calmly to new environments, sounds, and movements
- Able to communicate stress signals clearly (so they can be respected and supported)
- Happy participants in the work—not just “doing a job,” but truly enjoying the connection
- Only animals who enjoy this work and show a consistent ability to remain calm and engaged are chosen to partner in therapy.
Why Certification Matters
This specialized training ensures that every session is:
- Safe for both children and animals
- Ethical, with respect for the wellbeing of the animal as well as the client
- Effective, backed by research on the benefits of animal-assisted interventions
- Professional, following national and international standards of practice
Families can feel confident knowing that certified practitioners bring both clinical expertise and a deep respect for the human–animal bond.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY
Please read the following articles: