Therapeutic Paws

Therapy

Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy to Treat Personality Disorders

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on April 21, 2024

If you haven’t successfully treated your BPD with first-line therapies like DBT, animal-assisted interventions might help.

If you haven’t successfully treated your BPD with first-line therapies like DBT, animal-assisted interventions might help.

Therapy

Help Your Teen Conquer Social Anxiety Disorder

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on December 20, 2023

Is your teen struggling with social anxiety? Canine-assisted psychotherapy could help.

Is your teen struggling with social anxiety? Canine-assisted psychotherapy could help.

Therapy

Comparing Equine-Assisted and Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on August 14, 2023

Do you relate more easily to horses or dogs than other people? Animal-assisted psychotherapy might be right for you.

Do you relate more easily to horses or dogs than other people? Animal-assisted psychotherapy might be right for you.

Psychiatry

The Life-Changing Benefits of Psychiatric Service Dogs

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on May 4, 2023

Service dogs for people with mental health challenges help their handlers achieve life goals with courage, dignity, and independence.

Service dogs for people with mental health challenges help their handlers achieve life goals with courage, dignity, and independence.

Therapy

A New Approach for Kids Who Refuse Counseling

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on April 3, 2023

Are you struggling with a child who needs mental health care but refuses to participate? Animal-assisted psychotherapy might be just what you (both) need.

Are you struggling with a child who needs mental health care but refuses to participate? Animal-assisted psychotherapy might be just what you (both) need.

Therapy

Therapy, Service, and Emotional Support Dogs

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on March 2, 2023

Learn the differences and how to know which dogs you should and should not approach.

Learn the differences and how to know which dogs you should and should not approach.

Leadership

Train, Test, and Register Your Therapy Dog

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on October 23, 2022

Have you always wanted to know how to volunteer with your pup on a therapy dog team? Three steps will prepare you for the journey of a lifetime.

Have you always wanted to know how to volunteer with your pup on a therapy dog team? Three steps will prepare you for the journey of a lifetime.

Therapy

What Makes a Good Therapy Dog?

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on September 12, 2022

Can’t wait to volunteer with your dog in animal-assisted activities? Make sure it’s his idea of a good time, too.

Can’t wait to volunteer with your dog in animal-assisted activities? Make sure it’s his idea of a good time, too.

Trust

Is Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy Right for You?

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on August 16, 2022

Animal-assisted psychotherapy involves activities like training, walking, and grooming a therapy dog to help clients achieve their treatment goals.

Animal-assisted psychotherapy involves activities like training, walking, and grooming a therapy dog to help clients achieve their treatment goals.

Play

An Introduction to Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy

Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW on August 30, 2021

Jay was a troubled ten-year-old when he met Lucy, a golden retriever, in his animal-assisted psychotherapy session.

Jay was a troubled ten-year-old when he met Lucy, a golden retriever, in his animal-assisted psychotherapy session.