Canine-Assisted & Animal-Assisted Skills and Wellness
for Children and Adults in the CCS or CLTS Programs
Canine-Assisted Skills and Wellness is not therapy—I am a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Professional Dog Trainer, not a licensed therapist. My role is to coach clients and their pets to meet service plan goals through hands-on, relationship-building activities.
Who Is This For?
Children (ages 6+) and adults in the CCS or CLTS programs who own a dog or other pet. Sessions are one-on-one and take place in the client’s home.
Referral Form for Service Facilitators
To include this service in a client’s plan, complete the form below:
Building trust and relationships through the human-animal bond
Social and emotional development
Enhancing empathy and understanding body language (pet and human)
Recognizing emotions and physical responses
Understanding personal space and consent via pet interaction
Advocating for personal needs (pet and human)
Practicing self-regulation and frustration tolerance
Developing self-care and hygiene habits through pet care
Building confidence through teaching new skills
Understanding impulsiveness and how it affects relationships
Practicing safe and mutual interactions with their pet
Processing fear, loss, and grief related to pets
Reducing stress and improving pet-owner wellbeing
Learning pet welfare, nutrition, and medical care needs
Tools & Techniques Used
Activities and games include:
Pattern games and roleplay
Basic training and tricks
Husbandry skills (e.g., brushing, nail trims)
Puzzle and scent work
Co-regulation through T-touch and deep pressure
Support with Skilled Companion Dog training
Support and education around Emotional Support Animals
Guidance on acquiring and caring for Service Dogs
“Children and adults were able to transfer their increased abilities in reading facial expressions of dogs to their emotion recognition in human beings.” 11
How Pets Support Wellbeing
Positive Physical Effects:
Lower blood pressure & heart risk
Increased physical activity & motivation
Decreased pain & anxiety
Greater relaxation
Positive Mental Effects:
Reduced stress, loneliness, and isolation
More structure and routine
Mental stimulation
Emotional growth in children
Improved memory (e.g., Alzheimer’s, head injury)
Stronger bonds and sense of connection
The positive impacts of pet ownership on owner well-being are well documented in the literature and widely reported by media outlets. However, recent research also suggests several potential factors that could have negative effects on human well-being and animal welfare. For example, it has been reported that pet behavioural problems might lead to poorer mental health in pet owners and abandonment of pets. 3
Behavior Problems & Mental Health Risks
While pet ownership offers benefits, behavioral issues can create emotional strain:
Guilt or failure for not “fixing” a problem
Resentment or frustration toward the pet
Anxiety when leaving the pet home alone
Fear of eviction or injury
Financial stress or overwhelm
Embarrassment in public
Hypervigilance or fear of aggression
Exacerbation of pre-existing mental health challenges
“While many owners reported negative emotions regarding their pet’s behavioral problem, they also reported many positive emotions about their pet and about their bond. ” 5
Improving human-animal relationships benefits both the owner’s wellbeing and the animal’s welfare. My goal is to support that relationship through coaching, education, and compassion
Referral Form for Service Facilitators
To include this service in a client’s plan, complete the form below:
In this video, I demonstrate 123 Walking, a simple pattern game that helps reduce leash reactivity and anxiety—for both dogs and humans.
The handler counts steps out loud—“1… 2… 3”—and delivers a treat at their side on 3. Over time, the dog learns to anticipate the pattern and checks in, creating a predictable, calming routine.
This builds coping skills, reduces stress, and gives both dog and handler a tool for control and self-regulation in challenging environments.
Voluntary Sharing
Teaching Sharing & Impulse Control Through Choice
In this video, Buddy (red leash) practices Voluntary Sharing—a pattern game that helps dogs who struggle with sharing treats or people.
When Buddy sits, his dog friend gets a treat first, then Buddy receives one. This gives him control over the flow of rewards and teaches him that sharing brings good things. If he doesn’t sit, the session pauses—his choice tells us he’s not ready.
This simple game builds trust, reduces stress, and encourages cooperative behavior. Clients love how easy it is to apply in daily life!
