mental health is a part of every persons life

The inability to successfully deal with stress is a problem facing everyone. Some of us con lead more dignified and independent lives if we have a little help. Psychotherapy, herbal supplements, modern pharmacology, behavioral therapy, and more are all available to those in need. The dizzying array of options is a reflection of the variety of needs. No one option is right for everyone, but working with dogs has been demonstrated to be an effective part of a clinical treatment plan for several disorders. More research would be needed to define the limits of the effectiveness of these types of treatment; however the power of dogs to engage our interest is undeniable.

For a variety of reasons it is easier for some people to believe that dogs should be happy, and that their mental health is more important than their own. Our natural appreciation for dogs helps fuel the desire for our patients to understand the concepts or tools that we are offering. In part because they can be used to build a more profound relationship and greater mental health in the dog. In addition, modern behavioral psychology is based in large part on experiments with animals so, many of the ideas that patients are working on individually can be approached and taught with animals.  The mere increased familiarity handling these mental and emotional processes helps patients make these responses part of their personality, and part of their basic world view. 

There are a few principals that are so pervasive, and for most people poorly understood, that they are a part of many diverse treatment programs.

Recognizing incremental change as the key to growth.

Understanding traumatic events as opportunities to grow.

Approaching stress or anxiety as manageable emotions.

Viewing self-improvement as a permanent goal.

These principals are the backbone of emotional and mental growth. Practicing their application in daily life radically changes how quickly and profoundly patients can use these skills to improve their own lives.

Many programs have continued monthly or weekly support but no program can possibly offer the constant attention that a dog can to a problem. Because they are willing to work without days off and without breaks for years of their lives. Our mental health problems are not on a weekly or monthly schedule and sometimes today is too much to handle all at once. Dogs will work minute by minute and second by second for as long as it takes to help their handler.