What Animals Offer in Therapy

Ekhart Tolle said, “The vital function that pets fulfill in this world hasn’t fully been recognized. They keep millions of people sane. When you pet a dog or listen to a cat purring, thinking may subside for a moment and a space of stillness arises within you, a doorway into Being.”

We employ a rabbit and a cat who join our clients on occasion for their session.  

	Vaille, my cat, loves pets.  She thinks coming to work means a kitty spa day and collects people for her fan club the same way humans seek ‘likes’ on social media.  At home she is our hostess and must greet everyone and, of course, get some pets from them.  She is a long haired, dilute tortishell cat.  Her birthday is in August (2017.)
	Mika, my rabbit buck, is a very curious boy and loves to run around the play room and usually does a few binkies when at work with me.  The best way to get his attention in the play room is to do something else.  Eventually, he wants to know what’s so interesting and comes to investigate.  At home, he lives outside with his girlfriend, Godiva.  He is a satin angora rabbit.

When my clients interact with the animals, they learn how to compromise, build awareness and empathy for others, and practice being respectful of boundaries.  All of these are great skills that they practice in session with Vaille or Mika and then transfer to interactions with others (human or animal) in their own life.