Healing in Relationship with Animals
Animal-Assisted Play Therapy® was created by VanFleet and Faa-Thompson (2017). They have defined this modality as "the integrated involvement of animals in the context of play therapy, in which appropriately trained therapists and animals engage with clients primarily through systematic playful interventions, with the goal of improving clients' developmental and psychosocial health, while simultaneously ensuring the animal's well-being and voluntary engagement. Play and playfulness are essential ingredients of the interactions and
the relationship." I have been trained in AAPT alongside Kya, currently receive supervision in this therapy, and completed three courses from the University of Denver on incorporating animals into therapy.
Tenets of Animal-Assisted Therapy
Focus on Animal Welfare
-
Learning about animal welfare helps ensure therapy animals are physically and emotionally safe, which creates a more ethical and responsible therapeutic environment.
-
Allowing animals choice (such as whether to approach, engage, or take breaks) models healthy boundaries and consent for clients in a natural, observable way.
-
When animals are comfortable and willing participants, their interactions tend to be calmer and more genuine, which can increase client trust and emotional safety.
-
Respecting an animal’s signals can help clients build empathy, perspective-taking, and awareness of nonverbal communication skills.
-
Clients can practice patience, flexibility, and emotional regulation when an animal chooses differently than expected or needs space.
-
Observing and honoring animal choice reinforces relational skills such as respect, attunement, and mutual connection that can transfer to human relationships.
Foster Healthier Relationships
-
The relationship between the client and the therapy animal can create a sense of safety, comfort, and emotional support, making it easier for clients to engage in the therapeutic process.
-
Interacting with an animal often helps build trust more quickly, especially for clients who may feel anxious, guarded, or hesitant in traditional therapy settings.
-
The animal-assisted play therapy relationship can encourage emotional expression, as clients may share feelings, practice nurturing, or project experiences through interactions with the animal.
-
Positive experiences with the therapy animal can strengthen confidence, empathy, and social skills that transfer to relationships outside of therapy.
-
The bond with the animal can also support regulation by reducing stress, increasing calmness, and helping clients feel more grounded during challenging therapeutic work.
Working Towards Meaningful Goals
-
Strengthening attachment, trust, and connection
-
Healing from trauma and increasing emotional safety
-
Reducing anxiety and building coping skills
-
Supporting social-emotional growth and connection for autistic clients
-
Improving emotional regulation and reducing behavior challenges
-
Increasing attention, confidence, and learning readiness
-
Enhancing communication and improving relationships
-
Building empathy, responsibility, and safe interactions with animals
-
Reducing fear of animals and developing comfort through gradual positive experiences
Kya is a very special member of the team who helps people feel welcome and cared for. In animal-assisted therapy, Kya might join us while we play, draw, or talk. She is here to be a gentle friend who listens without judging and helps us feel brave when things feel a little tough. She is a black lab mix who was adopted as a puppy and is now 6 years old!
Just like us, Kya has her own choices too. She always gets to decide if she wants to play or take a rest. You also get to choose how much you want to interact with her—it is okay to play together, and it is also okay to just have her in the room! We always respect everyone’s boundaries here.
Meet Kya, the Therapy Dog
Kya’s Favorite Things
Kya is a gentle friend who loves so many things! Here is a little peek at what makes her tail wag and her heart happy.
Sniffing and exploring new smells
Finding hidden treats and snacks
Going for walks in the fresh air
Meeting new friends with a gentle wag
Gently playing with her favorite toys
Resting nearby while we play and talk
AAT FAQs
We know that starting therapy for you or your child can bring many questions. Below are answers to common curiosities. Please feel free to schedule a free 20-minute consultation to get all of your questions answered.
How are therapy animals selected, trained, and evaluated? What kinds of animals do this work?
In Animal-Assisted Play Therapy®, all varieties of animals can be incorporated ranging from dogs and cats all the way to farm animals. The most common types of animals are dogs, cats, horses, and rabbits. I hope to open up a therapy farm one day that includes cows, goats, and ducks too! At this time, Animal Heart Play Therapy has Kya, the therapy dog, to support sessions. Kya has attended animal-assisted therapy training alongside me. Kya was chosen as a good fit for Animal-Assisted Play Therapy® because of her natural curiosity for all types of new situations, gentle demeanor, and playfulness. I consistently attend supervision in this therapy where The Institute of Animal-Assisted Play Therapy® evaluates Kya and myself in this work.
What happens in a typical session? Are they safe?
Kya has been known to become a dragon attacking a fort, shop at the store, play pretend with puppets, and go to the doctor in play therapy sessions. When she is not being incorporated into dramatic play, she loves going for walks, working through obstacle courses, solving puzzles, and playing hide & seek. Otherwise, she enjoys taking a rest or chewing on a bone. How she is incorporated will depend on each person's unique therapy goals and goodness of fit for activities. In the therapy room, I am always monitoring for stress signals in Kya to prevent safety issues. I work with everyone before they meet her to understand dog body language and go over rules that will keep everyone safe (like always making sure Kya has the ability to back away and leave a situation). Risks are addressed on the consent forms as well.
How long and how often are the AAT sessions?
Sessions typically last 50-55 minutes. For consistency and the best therapeutic outcome, we usually recommend meeting once per week, especially in the beginning stages of therapy. The length of therapy depends on the needs of each individual/family, but often lasts between 6-12 months. After the initial assessment phase of therapy, it will be determined if it is a good fit to work with a therapy animal. Oftentimes, AAT is not the only therapeutic approach and there will be times the animal is and is not present.
What about allergies? What about fear of animals?
Kya has a very short-coat somewhere between a German Shorthaired Pointer and Labrador length. She does shed, but sheds less than dogs that have undercoats. I do vacuum and clean every week. If you or your child has allergies, we can come up with a plan that works best for you. Kya has the ability to be in another room or we can schedule appointments for when she is not there for severe allergies. Animal-assisted therapy can be very helpful to address fears and phobias of animals. This work would be supported by Anxiety Exposure Therapy, in which I am trained. We would work to create a plan that would best fit this type of situation.
What about pricing and insurance?
To be as accessible as possible, Animal Heart Play Therapy currently accepts Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, Aetna, Cigna, Rocky Mountain Health Plans Medicaid, Northeast Health Partners Medicaid, and Colorado Access/CHP+ Medicaid.
At this time, we cannot take Colorado Community Health Alliance Medicaid or Kaiser insurance.
Self-pay rate is $150 for a 55-minute therapy session and good faith estimates will be given before any services.