Animal Assisted Play Therapy for young people aged 14 and over. A relationship-based therapy combining play, connection and a trained therapy dog, offered at Saga Psychology in Reservoir, Melbourne.
Talking to a therapist can feel daunting for many teenagers, especially at first. Animal Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT) offers a different way in. Working alongside a therapy dog, young people can build trust, relax into the session, and explore feelings and challenges in a way that feels less pressured and more natural.
At Saga Psychology, AAPT is offered to young people aged 14 and over. It may suit teens who are experiencing anxiety, low mood, social difficulties or low confidence, as well as neurodivergent young people who connect more easily through activity than through conversation alone.
We support young people and families across Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Animal Assisted Play Therapy combines play therapy with the involvement of a trained therapy animal. The approach was developed by Dr Risë VanFleet, a psychologist and leading figure in the field, who founded the International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy. Her work, including Animal Assisted Play Therapy (VanFleet & Faa-Thompson, 2017), has shaped how AAPT is practised around the world.
In AAPT, a trained therapist and animal work with the client mainly through structured, playful activities. The aim is to support the client’s emotional, social and developmental wellbeing, while making sure the animal is safe and comfortable and takes part willingly.
How AAPT works
Sessions are led by the therapist, with the dog as a partner in the work. Depending on the young person’s goals, sessions might include:
Training games: teaching the dog a new skill, which can build patience, confidence and problem-solving
Relationship activities: learning to read the dog’s body language and respond to its needs, which can build empathy and social understanding
Calm, shared time: simply being with the dog, which many young people find settling
Conversation that arises naturally: what happens with the dog often opens up talk about the young person’s own feelings, relationships and experiences
Animal welfare is central
A core principle of VanFleet’s approach is that the animal’s wellbeing matters as much as the client’s. The dog is never forced to take part. Its signals are respected, and sessions are adjusted or paused whenever it needs a break. Young people often find this deeply meaningful: they are learning about consent, respect and care in a real relationship.
Blaise is Saga Psychology’s therapy dog in training and works alongside Dr Saga Arthursson, psychologist.
Blaise is currently completing structured obedience training and working towards her therapy dog certification. She is being introduced to clinic life gradually and carefully, at a pace that suits her, in keeping with the AAPT principle that a therapy animal’s wellbeing comes first.
As her training progresses, Blaise is spending increasing time with young people at the clinic. Her involvement in sessions is always planned in advance and discussed with families, and it depends on what is right for both the young person and for Blaise on the day.
Before starting AAPT
We’ll talk with you about:
- Any allergies, fears of dogs or previous experiences with animals
- Your goals for therapy and whether AAPT is a good fit
- How sessions with Blaise are structured and supervised
AAPT can be offered on its own or combined with other therapy at Saga Psychology.