At Achieve Balance Counselling, we believe that therapy works best when it is attuned, creative, and grounded in safe, authentic relationships. Animal-Assisted Therapy blends the power of play therapy, expressive modalities, and genuine human-animal interaction to support emotional growth, healing, and nervous system regulation.
Working alongside Willow, a canine partner in training, our Animal-Assisted Therapy sessions offer a unique, multi-sensory way for children, teens, and adults to explore feelings, practice boundary-setting, build empathy, and navigate life’s challenges in a warm, welcoming environment.
What is Animal-Assisted Play Therapy®?
Developed by Dr. Risë VanFleet and Tracie Faa-Thompson, AAPT® combines play therapy principles with animal involvement. Rather than treating animals as static tools or passive motivators, AAPT honors animals as active, respected partners in the therapeutic relationship.
Willow’s natural expressions, gentle presence, and playful nature provide real-time, non-judgmental feedback that helps clients feel seen, accepted, and grounded.
Professional Disclaimer & Ethical Standards:
Kim Kendall has completed Level 1 Training in Animal-Assisted Play Therapy® through the International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy® (IIAAPT) under Dr. Risë VanFleet. She integrates AAPT principles and techniques into her clinical practice while actively working toward full certification. Willow participates as a canine partner in training, ensuring the highest standards of safety, animal welfare, and therapeutic care.
Meet Willow: Canine Partner in Training
Willow is a gentle, attentive dog who brings warmth, curiosity, and unconditional acceptance into the therapy room. Her presence often creates an immediate bridge of safety for clients who might feel hesitant, anxious, or overwhelmed by traditional talk therapy or who may need something in addition to or different than play therapy.
During sessions, both the client’s and Willow’s well-being, comfort, and choices are always prioritized. Participation in therapy is always voluntary for both Willow and the client, creating a living model of consent, mutual respect, and healthy relational boundaries.
How Animal-Assisted Therapy Helps Children, Teens, and Adults
By engaging with Willow through structured play, cooperative tasks, expressive activities, and peaceful co-presence, clients across all age groups experience meaningful emotional and relational growth.
Children & Youth
Emotional Regulation: Learning to notice, name, and steady body arousal levels alongside a calm, grounded canine presence.
Building Safety & Trust: Connecting with a non-judgmental animal helps ease social anxiety and reluctance toward therapy.
Social & Communication Skills: Practicing clear, gentle, and assertive communication through playful games and training activities.
Empathy & Respect: Learning to read canine body language, fostering compassion and emotional awareness for self and others.
Youth & Adults
Stress & Anxiety Reduction: Experiencing the soothing physiological benefits of tactile grounding and quiet co-regulation.
Healthy Boundaries: Practicing clear, respectful boundary-setting and understanding mutual consent in relationships.
Mindfulness & Presence: Moving out of racing thoughts and into the present moment through shared, focus-oriented activities.
Overcoming Relational Barriers: Building emotional safety without the pressure of constant direct conversation.
What to Expect in a Session
Every Animal-Assisted Therapy session is tailored to align with your unique therapeutic goals, strengths, and needs. Depending on what feels right for you or your child, activities might include:
Interactive play and creative problem-solving games with Willow.
Cooperative trick training or gentle obstacle courses designed to boost confidence and self-efficacy.
Quiet co-presence, expressive art, or sand tray activities while Willow rests nearby.
Observing Willow’s subtle body language to explore feelings, physical cues, and relational dynamics.
Note: Involvement with Willow is always optional and introduced only after careful intake assessment to ensure it aligns with your therapy goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Safety and comfort are our highest priorities. Willow is introduced gradually and only when you and/or your child feel ready. Sessions can easily begin without Willow in the room, allowing therapeutic rapport and trust to develop at a comfortable pace.
Yes! Animal-Assisted Therapy is a wonderful, neurodiversity-affirming modality. Willow provides clear, concrete social cues and sensory grounding without the complex verbal expectations of traditional therapy environments.
As Kim is currently the only counsellor offering sessions that include Willow, Animal-Assisted Therapy services are offered at our welcoming counselling office in Abbotsford.
Yes, you’re welcome to request that Willow join your or your child’s sessions! However, whether Willow participates is determined on a case-by-case basis.
To ensure the Animal-Assisted Therapy is both safe and effective, Kim carefully evaluates several factors for every session, including therapeutic goals, suitability, and overall well-being. A vital part of this process is protecting Willow’s health and happiness—the number of sessions Willow participates in each week is limited to prevent overworking. Additionally, Willow always has the autonomy to choose whether she wants to participate on any given day.
If you’re interested in incorporating Animal-Assisted Therapy, please let Kim know, and she will be happy to discuss whether Willow is a good fit for your therapy journey.
Ready to Explore Animal-Assisted Play Therapy?
If you’re interested in learning how Animal-Assisted Therapy with Willow can support you or your child on the path toward emotional balance and well-being, please either book an Intake Session with Kim or send an email to admin@achievebalancecounselling.com and Sam, our admin, will help answer any questions that you might have.
If you or your child is already a client of Kim’s please feel free to reach out directly to her to see whether including Willow in sessions with you or your child would be a good fit.