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Clear Eyes

What is AAT?

Animal-Assisted Therapy is Emotional Support Provided by the Canine
 

1. Grounding & Calming Presence

Dogs are naturally soothing. Just their presence can help clients regulate their nervous systems:

  • Petting a dog reduces cortisol (stress hormone) and increases oxytocin (the bonding hormone).

  • Helps clients come back to the present moment, especially during dissociation, panic, or intense emotional states.
     

2. Unconditional Acceptance

Clients often feel judged or misunderstood by others—but a therapy dog offers:

  • Non-verbal affirmation: The dog is fully present without analyzing, correcting, or evaluating.

  • This can be especially powerful for people with shame, social anxiety, or low self-worth.
     

3. Attachment & Relational Healing

For clients with trauma or attachment wounds, forming a bond with a dog can:

  • Provide a corrective emotional experience.

  • Model healthy, safe, and secure connection.

  • Help practice trust and vulnerability at a manageable pace.
     

4. Motivation & Engagement

Dogs can:

  • Make therapy feel less intimidating.

  • Encourage people to show up consistently.

  • Help clients open up emotionally, especially children, teens, and those who find traditional talk therapy overwhelming.
     

5. Modeling Emotional Regulation

Dogs often "mirror" or respond to human emotional states. In therapy, this can:

 

  • Help clients observe how their emotions affect others.

  • Practice regulating emotions to help the dog feel calm.

  • Encourage mindfulness, gentleness, and empathy.






     

janelle-att.jpg

Janelle was adopted from two great foster parents in Brooksville, FL. They had rescued her when they found her on the roadside of the highway. But like many other dogs who have been abandoned and thrown away, she is loving and trusting of everyone she meets. She is genuinely a being of unconditional love and forgiveness. Many clients can identify with her recovery story of rejection and her original parent’s abandonment. Janelle and I have worked very hard for her to receive her Canine Good Citizen award before her starting in the practice. Janelle loves spending time with her clients. Despite her experience, she is loving and accepting of everyone.

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Janelle and I feel blessed beyond words that so many trust me with their emotions, minds, and families.  I have spent my life studying mental health with hope to help as many as I can and for others to receive the ripple effect.

© 2025 by Nikki Immediato, LMHC, QS, CSTIP.

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