Animal-Assisted Therapy
With Emi - Your Compassionate Therapy Partner
Meet Emi - a Unique and Intuitive Therapy Animal
Emi is more than just a therapy animal—she is a Highly Sensitive Dog with a deep capacity for emotional connection. Her gentle, intuitive nature allows her to connect profoundly with clients struggling with anxiety, trauma, and overwhelming emotions.
Emi’s timid personality reflects her own journey of growth. She understands what it means to need love, safety, and support to feel secure in the world—an experience many clients resonate with. Through the challenges she has overcome, Emi can relate to the courage and vulnerability it takes to embark on a healing journey.
Her presence not only provides comfort but also creates opportunities for clients to practice what they are learning in therapy. When Emi gets nervous or scared, she welcomes gentle reassurance and compassion, allowing clients to nurture her as they might nurture themselves. This shared experience fosters connection, growth, and self-compassion.
Highly attuned to the emotional experiences of those around her, Emi has an incredible ability to provide comfort during the tougher moments. She makes it her mission to ensure every person she meets feels seen, loved, and supported—because, at her core, Emi truly lives to love.
The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Anxiety and Trauma
Animal-assisted therapy offers a powerful and unique path to relief for clients navigating anxiety and trauma. Animals, like Emi, naturally mirror the emotional and reactive states of those around them. This creates a real-time opportunity for clients to practice emotional regulation in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. By observing how their emotional energy impacts Emi, clients gain a deeper awareness of their own internal experiences, which can be transformative for their healing.
Being with Emi also invites clients to step into the present moment—a place where anxiety and trauma begin to lose their grip. Emi’s calming and grounded nature helps clients feel at ease, fostering a sense of safety that is vital for healing. In these calm, connected moments, clients often discover a reprieve from overwhelming worries and intrusive memories.
Through the gentle presence of a therapy animal, clients not only experience relief but also build new patterns of emotional connection, trust, and self-regulation. This combination of comfort, connection, and real-time growth allows clients to move forward in their healing journey with greater resilience and confidence.
What to Expect in an Animal-Assisted Therapy Session
Each animal-assisted therapy offering is unique. When working with Emi here is what you can expect. Since she is timid she may be scared when you come for your first session. She will be in her crate under my desk as you come into the office. Do not be alarmed by her barking! That is just her way of trying to keep herself safe from things she does not know.
Once she has the chance to come out and meet you she will likely be overcome with happiness and joy from making a new friend! She will communicate this in the best way she knows how: lots of kisses (licking)! I will work with you to communicate to Emi the personal boundaries you feel comfortable with. From there, Emi will move between participating in the session to resting in her crate as she chooses. For some sessions, Emi is a central focus of the work, and for others, she is not. Each session is different and driven by your experience as well as hers.
Take the first step in your healing journey with Emi, your trusted therapy companion.
Whether in-office in the San Jose Bay Area or online throughout California, experience the power of animal-assisted therapy to find relief and connection.