Animal-Assisted Therapy
Brookside Family Therapy
The Healing Connection Between Humans and Animals
At Brookside Family Therapy in Manassas Park, VA, we're proud to offer animal-assisted therapy as one of our most effective therapeutic approaches. This evidence-based method incorporates animals into structured therapy sessions, creating a unique healing environment that complements our other treatment modalities.
Animal-assisted therapy (sometimes called pet therapy) is more than just spending time with animals—it's a purposeful therapeutic intervention designed to address specific mental health conditions and improve overall well-being. The animals involved in these sessions become partners in the healing process, offering emotional support that many clients find invaluable.
How Animal-Assisted Therapy Works
Our approach to animal-assisted therapy at Brookside Family Therapy combines clinical expertise with the natural healing power of human-animal connection. Multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach for various health conditions.
The Science Behind Animal-Assisted Therapy
When clients interact with therapy animals, several beneficial physiological and psychological changes occur:
Release of oxytocin – the "bonding hormone" that promotes feelings of trust and connection
Increased endorphins – natural mood elevators that reduce pain and create feelings of pleasure
Lowered blood pressure – physical contact with therapy animals has been shown to reduce cardiovascular stress
Decreased stress hormones – interactions with animals reduce cortisol levels that contribute to anxiety
These biochemical responses explain why many clients experience immediate relief during animal-assisted therapy sessions. A meta-analysis of research in this field confirms that these benefits extend beyond the therapy room, creating lasting improvements in mental health and emotional regulation.
Our Therapy Animals
At Brookside, we primarily work with Golden Retrievers. Unlike service animals that assist with specific tasks, or a client's own pet, our therapy animals:
Are specifically trained for therapeutic environments
Can work with multiple clients
Have predictable, calm temperaments
Are regularly evaluated for their suitability
Work alongside licensed therapists as part of a treatment plan
Each of our therapy animals undergoes extensive training and evaluation before joining our team, ensuring they can provide the consistent, positive presence that makes animal-assisted therapy effective. They are also chosen on the work day to ensure they are in the right frame of mind or for the specific clients being seen that day.
Anxiety Relief
For clients dealing with anxiety, animal-assisted therapy offers significant benefits:
Physiological calming – Interaction with therapy animals activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing physical symptoms of anxiety
Grounding presence – Therapy dogs help bring clients into the present moment, interrupting cycles of worry
Social buffering – Animals provide a focus point that makes therapy less intimidating
Non-judgmental support – The unconditional acceptance of animals creates a safe emotional space
Many clients report a significant difference in their anxiety levels during animal-assisted therapy sessions compared to traditional therapy alone. The immediate calming effect can make it easier to engage with other therapeutic techniques.
Mental Health Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy
Depression Management
Animal-assisted therapy provides unique benefits for clients experiencing depression and depressive symptoms:
Increased motivation – The presence of an animal often encourages engagement when other approaches feel overwhelming
Natural mood elevation – Positive interactions with animals trigger the release of mood-enhancing neurochemicals
Routine and structure – Animal interactions provide purposeful activity and a reason to engage
Physical touch and comfort – The tactile experience of petting an animal can break through emotional numbness
For many clients, the consistent emotional support provided by therapy animals helps reduce the isolation and disconnection that often accompany depression. The animals' natural focus on the present moment also counteracts the rumination common in depressive thinking.
Trauma Recovery
For clients working through trauma, including PTSD, animal-assisted therapy creates a unique pathway to healing:
Safety signaling – The calm presence of therapy animals helps recalibrate an overactive nervous system
Trust rebuilding – Forming a connection with an animal can be a stepping stone to trusting humans again
Emotional regulation – Animal interactions provide practice in managing emotional responses
Reduced hypervigilance – The predictable, gentle nature of therapy animals helps reduce defensive alertness
Our therapists have witnessed how the presence of a therapy animal can help create a sense of safety that allows trauma survivors to process difficult memories and emotions. For some clients, this approach provides a bridge to healing that might otherwise be difficult to access.
Physical Health Benefits
While our primary focus is mental and emotional wellness, animal-assisted therapy also offers several physical health benefits:
Reduced blood pressure – Studies consistently show decreased blood pressure during and after animal interaction
Increased physical activity – Working with animals naturally encourages movement and engagement
Pain management – The distraction and pleasure of animal interaction can reduce perception of current pain
Improved motor skills – Many animal-assisted activities promote fine and gross motor coordination
These physical benefits complement the psychological advantages, creating a holistic approach to wellness that addresses the connection between mind and body. This makes animal-assisted therapy particularly valuable for clients dealing with both physical and emotional challenges.
Skill Development Through Animal-Assisted Therapy
Beyond addressing specific conditions, animal-assisted therapy helps clients develop important life skills:
Communication Skills
Interacting with therapy animals improves both verbal and non-verbal communication:
Body language awareness – Reading and responding to animal cues enhances overall non-verbal comprehension
Reduced communication pressure – Animals don't judge grammar, vocabulary, or social status
Natural conversation facilitation – Animals provide an easy, neutral topic for discussion
These improvements in communication often transfer to human interactions, making animal-assisted therapy valuable for clients who struggle with social situations.
Emotional Regulation
Animals provide immediate, honest feedback about our emotional states:
Emotional mirroring – Animals often reflect the emotional energy we project
Self-soothing practice – Calm interaction with animals models effective regulation techniques
Frustration tolerance – Working with animals requires patience and adaptability
These experiences provide practical opportunities to practice emotional regulation in a supportive, low-risk environment—skills that clients can apply to challenging situations in their daily lives.
Socialization Skills
For many clients, particularly children and those with social anxiety, animal-assisted therapy improves socialization:
Reduced social anxiety – Animals create a bridge for human connection
Practice with boundaries – Animal interactions require respecting physical and emotional limits
Enhanced social confidence – Successful animal interactions build self-esteem in social contexts
The social support provided by therapy animals often makes it easier for clients to engage with their therapist and, eventually, with others in their lives.
Integration with Other Therapeutic Approaches
At Brookside Family Therapy, we integrate animal-assisted therapy with other evidence-based approaches to create comprehensive treatment plans. This integration enhances the effectiveness of many therapeutic modalities:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Animal-assisted therapy complements CBT by:
Making abstract concepts concrete through animal examples
Increasing engagement with therapeutic exercises
Providing immediate feedback on behavioral changes
Creating memorable experiences that reinforce cognitive shifts
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
The animal-assisted approach supports DBT skills development:
Enhancing mindfulness through present-focused animal interaction
Demonstrating emotion regulation through animal responses
Practicing distress tolerance in new situations
Modeling healthy interpersonal effectiveness
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Animals naturally support ACT principles by:
Demonstrating acceptance without judgment
Encouraging psychological flexibility in interactions
Highlighting values through care relationships
Supporting committed action through consistent engagement
Narrative Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy enhances narrative approaches by:
Creating alternative storylines through positive animal experiences
Externalizing problems through animal metaphors
Identifying strengths revealed in animal interactions
Witnessing growth and change through the animal relationship
This integrative approach ensures that animal-assisted therapy enhances rather than replaces other effective treatment methods, creating a personalized experience that meets each client's unique needs.
The Brookside Family Therapy Difference
Our approach to animal-assisted therapy reflects our commitment to personalized, client-centered care. We believe therapy works best when clients actively participate in their healing journey, and our animal-assisted therapy programs embody this philosophy.
Personalized Treatment Planning
We tailor our animal-assisted therapy approach to each client's specific needs:
Initial assessment identifies whether animal-assisted therapy would be beneficial
Customized activities align with your therapeutic goals
Appropriate animal selection matches you with the right therapy animal
Integration with other modalities creates a comprehensive treatment approach
Regular evaluation ensures the approach continues to meet your needs
This personalized approach ensures that animal-assisted therapy enhances your unique therapeutic journey rather than following a one-size-fits-all formula.
Safety and Well-being
We maintain the highest standards for both client and animal welfare:
Thoroughly trained therapy animals undergo comprehensive evaluation
Regular health monitoring ensures animal wellness
Strict hygiene protocols minimize potential risks
Qualified therapist supervision throughout all sessions
Clear guidelines for appropriate animal interaction
These standards ensure our animal-assisted therapy program remains both safe and effective for everyone involved.
Who Can Benefit from Animal-Assisted Therapy?
While many clients find value in animal-assisted therapy, it may be particularly beneficial for:
Children and Adolescents
Young people often connect naturally with animals, making animal-assisted therapy especially effective for:
Children with communication challenges
Adolescents resistant to traditional therapy
Young people with attention difficulties
Children processing difficult emotions
Adults with Anxiety and Stress
For adults dealing with anxiety, stress, or trauma, therapy animals provide:
Immediate physiological calming
Emotional regulation support
Social connection in a non-threatening context
Practical coping strategies that transfer to daily life
Individuals with Relationship Challenges
Those working through relationship difficulties benefit from:
Safe relationship practice with non-judgmental animals
Attachment pattern insights revealed through animal interaction
Trust-building experiences in a controlled environment
Communication enhancement through non-verbal practice
Getting Started with Animal-Assisted Therapy
If you're interested in exploring whether animal-assisted therapy might benefit you or a loved one, the process at Brookside Family Therapy is straightforward:
Contact our office – Call us or schedule through our website to speak with our business manager, Jennifer
Initial consultation – Meet with a therapist to discuss your needs and whether animal-assisted therapy would be appropriate
Customized treatment plan – Work with your therapist to develop goals and approaches
Gradual introduction – Meet the therapy animal at a comfortable pace
Regular sessions – Engage in structured therapeutic activities that incorporate the animal
Ongoing assessment – Together with your therapist, evaluate progress and adjust as needed
Throughout this process, we focus on creating a therapeutic experience that respects your individual needs, preferences, and pace of healing.
Conclusion: Transform Your Healing Journey
At Brookside Family Therapy in Manassas Park, VA, we believe in the remarkable healing potential of the human-animal connection. Our animal-assisted therapy program represents one facet of our comprehensive approach to mental health and wellness—an approach that prioritizes personalization, collaboration, and evidence-based care.
Whether you're dealing with anxiety, processing trauma, navigating relationship challenges, or seeking support during life transitions, animal-assisted therapy may offer a unique pathway to healing that complements traditional therapeutic approaches.
Contact our office today to learn more about our animal-assisted therapy programs and discover how we can support your journey toward greater well-being. At Brookside Family Therapy, we're committed to helping you build the tools you need to move forward—and our animal partners are ready to assist in that important work.
Frequently Asked Questions
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While many people benefit from animal-assisted therapy, factors such as allergies, animal phobias, or certain health conditions may make other therapeutic approaches more suitable. Our assessment process helps determine whether this approach would benefit your specific situation.
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Unlike casual pet interaction, animal-assisted therapy is a structured, goal-directed intervention facilitated by a licensed mental health professional. Therapy animals receive specialized training, and interactions are purposefully designed to address specific therapeutic objectives.
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The duration varies depending on individual needs and therapeutic goals. Some clients benefit from just a few sessions, while others incorporate animal-assisted components throughout a longer course of therapy. We regularly assess progress and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.
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Typically, yes. Consistency helps build rapport between client and therapy animal, though in some cases, different animals might be incorporated based on therapeutic goals and availability.
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Absolutely! Children often respond particularly well to animal-assisted therapy. The approach can be adapted to be age-appropriate and engaging for young clients while still addressing specific therapeutic goals.