Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy with our future team member - Peanut

At Vida Counseling & Wellness, we are excited to welcome Peanut, our future therapy dog. Peanut is currently undergoing professional training and is expected to begin participating in sessions in 2028.

For clients who choose to incorporate animal-assisted therapy into their counseling experience, Peanut will help create a warm, comforting, and supportive therapeutic environment. Many individuals find that the presence of a therapy dog can help reduce anxiety, increase feelings of safety, and make it easier to engage in the therapeutic process.

More information about animal-assisted therapy services will be available as Peanut completes training and prepares to join the practice.

A small, fluffy, brown puppy with curly fur is walking towards the camera on a wooden floor in a room with light-colored walls and furniture.

  • Animal-assisted therapy involves incorporating a trained therapy animal into the counseling process. The presence of a therapy dog can help support emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, and create a greater sense of comfort and safety during sessions.

  • Peanut is currently still young and is in the early stages of her professional training. Therapy dogs require extensive preparation to ensure they are calm, consistent, and able to safely support clients in a clinical setting.

    She is expected to begin participating in sessions once she is older (at least 3 years old; around 2028) and has successfully completed her full training program and evaluation process. This ensures that her presence in sessions is safe, predictable, and beneficial for clients.

  • Once Peanut completes training and is fully integrated into the practice, she may be present in sessions depending on client preference. Some clients may choose to have her nearby during sessions, while others may prefer traditional therapy without animal involvement.

    Participation is always optional.

  • No. Animal-assisted therapy is completely optional. Clients can choose whether or not they would like Peanut to be part of their therapy experience. Your preferences and comfort level will always guide how sessions are structured.

A brown, curly-haired puppy standing on a carpeted floor, looking up at the camera. There are some dog toys nearby and furniture in the background.
Adorable brown puppy looking up at the camera on a light wooden floor.
A small brown curly-haired dog sitting on a soft blanket on a lounge chair outdoors, with sunlight shining on it.