Meet Heidi.
Heidi is a sweet and gentle Shepherd/Husky rescue from Northern Ontario. With your permission, she loves to join sessions and offer her own unique kind of comfort and grounding.
Research shows that spending time with dogs can boost dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin — the “feel-good” chemicals that naturally improve mood and calm the nervous system. Dogs are great at engaging individuals, and are motivated by social contact; this makes them the perfect addition to a session. For those who are interested in her attending, Heidi can support me in creating a safe, warm, and non-judgmental space, which enables clients to let their guard down and feel comfortable.
Dogs are incredible at identifying humans' emotional states, and then providing them what they need in the moment. For example, if feeling sad, Heidi may pop over for a snuggle. (Did you know that the simple act of petting a dog can calm your nervous system!?)
While there are many benefits to having Heidi in session, your comfort always comes first. If you prefer your sessions to be “human-only,” that’s absolutely okay too.
