Animal Assisted Therapy at Teen Health Connection

We would like to welcome our new furry colleague, Pixie, to our Teen Health Connection team. Pixie is a four-year-old Great Dane and is a Therapy Dog certified through Therapy Dog International.

With teens coming from many areas of life, it can sometimes be challenging to open up, especially to those they do not know very well. Because of this, animals can be used as a fantastic way to ease the tension in the room and provide a way for a patient to feel more comfortable.

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a form of creative therapy that utilizes licensed and credentialed therapy animals in a therapeutic setting. Animal Assisted Therapy can be used with several types of psychological, emotional, developmental, cognitive behavioral, and physical health situations. Numerous studies show that interaction with animals helps people lower their blood pressure, increases engagement, and reduces anxiety and depression.

For most people, the presence of an animal prompts the body to release serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin. These hormones generate a relaxation and stress-reducing response. Over time, these “happy hormones” lower anxiety and, can “break the ice” between therapist and patient. Interacting with a therapy dog has also been shown to lower cortisol (stress hormone) and reduce blood pressure.

Pixie works alongside her pet parent and Teen Health Connection therapist, Clark Bridge, LCSW. Though still early in her AAT career, we can see that Pixie is really enjoying all the pets she receives when coming to work, even though she has been caught sneaking in a few snoozes during her breaks. Patients are really enjoying their sessions with Pixie, and even other patients who see other providers cannot help but want a few minutes to pet Pixie. We look forward to expanding Pixie’s We look forward to expanding Pixie’s potential at Teen Health Connection.