Dog Assisted Therapy

We’re thrilled to announce that next Monday (24/3) will be Maple’s very first day at Forest for the Trees! Maple is a beautiful 4-year-old Golden Retriever who will be working alongside his owner, Caroline, to provide psychological treatment during the perinatal period.

Caroline and Maple graduated from Therapy Dogs Australia in 2022 when Maple was just a year old. Since then, they have continued training together, with a focus on bringing calm to those experiencing psychological distress, reducing anxiety, and assisting with emotional regulation.

Maple has worked as a therapy dog in both clinical and medical settings in Newcastle and was recently featured for his work at HMRI, where he provides support to those who may be anxious to undergo MRI scans.

Now, it’s time for Maple to join the team at Forest for the Trees, where he will assist clients experiencing psychological distress in the perinatal period.

Dog-assisted therapy is an intervention that complements traditional psychological approaches like cognitive-behavioural therapy.

Therapy dogs like Maple are trained to provide emotional support and assist in creating a sense of calm and connection, which can be particularly valuable for those who find therapy intimidating or overwhelming.

“People often naturally connect with dogs. Having a dog in the therapy room can help those who are unsure about therapy. Maple has this beautiful nature, and I found that his calming presence during sessions can contribute to a positive therapeutic experience.”  – Caroline, Clinical Psychology Registrar

Whether clients prefer quietly sitting with Maple or patting him while having strong emotions as they discuss their experience, his soothing presence can bring comfort and assist with emotional regulation.

Interestingly, previous research suggests that dog-assisted interventions can help regulate the nervous system, notably by lowering cortisol levels, commonly known as the stress hormone.

With Maple now part of the team at Forest for the Trees, clients can experience first-hand the benefits of dog-assisted therapy in a safe, supportive environment.