Pet Assisted Therapy

Our loving rescue pup from the Caribbean, Mitchy, helps kids develop reading, communication, and social interaction skills. This warm, furry friend is the perfect language companion, always listening with a non-judgmental ear. He has even visited special friends who were not feeling well and needed cheering up.

Mitch is now a true New Yorker who enjoys long walks in Central Park, a nice slice of lox, and never minds a tasty pizza crust.

Is Pet Assisted Therapy Right For My Child?

For some children, the presence of a therapy dog can create a comfortable, motivating, and supportive environment that enhances engagement and learning. Pet-assisted therapy can be particularly helpful for children who experience anxiety, difficulty building rapport, challenges with social communication, emotional regulation needs, low motivation, or reluctance to participate in traditional therapy activities.

A therapy dog can help foster connection, increase confidence, encourage communication, support emotional well-being, and provide meaningful opportunities for practicing language, social interaction, and executive functioning skills in a natural and enjoyable way. Activities may include reading to the dog, giving directions, storytelling, conversation practice, turn-taking, and social-emotional learning experiences.

Families are encouraged to meet with our team to discuss their child's individual strengths, needs, goals, preferences, and any concerns. Together, we can determine whether incorporating pet-assisted therapy may be a beneficial component of a personalized treatment plan.