Meet Oscar.

Oscar is my co-therapist on request. He is a trained, certified PAT (Pets as Therapy) dog.

Oscar is experienced in visiting schools and colleges where he works his magic. When Oscar is with me he can light up a room. The unconditional love he gives to those he meets is healing. Barriers tumble down as people soften and open up, having a new willingness to share their stories with Oscar present.

Oscar often senses people’s feelings, frequently moving toward people he knows instinctively are holding pain or upset. When tears come, he often nuzzles up to the person, giving his winning gaze as comfort.

Oscar loves being petted. Stroking a therapy dog is a mutually beneficial activity. Research has shown that stroking a dog can lower blood pressure. In our often touch-deprived world, Oscar can be there for you in your sessions, ready and willing to meet this need.

The relationship is two-way. As you work with Oscar, you will begin to learn how he communicates his feelings, looking at his body language, and so developing a greater understanding of emotional communication, which is so crucial in our own relationships in the outside world.

Part of this communication might involve Oscar demonstrating the tricks he has learned, or engaging with you in a play activity.

With Oscar in the room, people often feel less attention on themselves. This can help you to open up about difficult experiences in what can feel like a less intense situation.

I had the privilege of being interviewed by Counselling Tutor about my work with Oscar. You can listen to the interview which is 47 minutes into the podcast here.