Animal Assisted Therapy
Healing happens best in safe, connected relationships—even with four legs and a wagging tail
At Blue Star Counseling, Kathryn is proud to offer animal assisted counseling as part of the therapy services for children, teens, adults, and families. With the support of a certified therapy dog, sessions feel more grounded, safe, and accessible—especially for kids who may be nervous, shut down, or slow to trust.
Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation, or attachment challenges, the calming presence of a therapy animal can create a powerful bridge for connection.
What Is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a structured form of counseling that incorporates trained animals—most commonly dogs—into the counseling session.
So, how does animal assisted therapy work?
At its core, AAT enhances traditional therapy with the presence of a regulated, calm animal. The therapist uses intentional interactions with the animal to support emotional regulation, trust-building, and co-regulation. This is especially impactful for children and teens who struggle to engage in traditional therapy.
Animal Assisted Therapy for Mental Health & PTSD
Individuals who have experienced trauma, loss, or persistent stress may struggle with traditional talk therapy. For these clients, animal assisted therapy for mental health provides a nervous system-friendly way to access safety and connection.
This work is especially beneficial for clients with PTSD symptoms. The animal’s calm demeanor and rhythmic presence can help regulate breathing, reduce hypervigilance, and support trauma processing—often before a child can verbalize what’s going on.
A therapy animal can help clients:
Feel more safe and open in sessions
Lower anxiety or distress
Increase emotional regulation
Improve communication and connection
I see particularly powerful results in clients navigating:
Therapy Dog Credentials
Kathryn and her canine partner, Khloe, are an animal assisted counseling team, certified through the Texas State Animal Assisted Counseling Academy. This program is designed to adapt animal assisted therapy for a counseling setting. Kathryn is a licensed clinician, and as a trained animal assisted therapist, she facilitates interactions that are purposeful, respectful, and grounded in the child’s therapeutic goals.
What to Expect
In sessions, you may:
- Greet or sit beside the therapy dog
- Practice gentle petting or brushing
- Engage in games or structured activities that involve the dog
- Learn to read the dog’s signals and reflect on their own emotional cues
This type of animal assisted counseling often blends seamlessly with Play Therapy or Attachment Therapy, depending on your child’s unique needs.
Is Animal Assisted Therapy Right for You or Your Child?
If your child has struggled to engage in therapy—or if you’re looking for an alternative relational approach—animal assisted counseling may be the bridge to healing you’ve been searching for.
Kathryn provides animal assisted therapy for children ages 3+, teens, and adults. Sessions are available in Castle Rock, CO, and serve families in Parker, Highlands Ranch, and surrounding communities.
Is Animal Assisted Therapy Right for My Child?
If you’ve been feeling confused, overwhelmed, or unsure how to help your child—animal assisted therapy may be the support your family needs.
Kathryn invites you to book a free intro call to learn more.
Blue Star Counseling
Located at 1 Oakwood Park Plaza, Suite 120, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Serving families in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Parker, CO
Call to book a session: (303) 638-6707