Animal-Assisted Therapy In Western Colorado

Photo courtesy of Dream Catcher Therapy

Our furry friends have always been a great source of companionship and comfort, but that profound bond between humans and animals can also be an incredibly powerful avenue for healing and growth. Animal-assisted therapy is a recognized form of therapy in which animals act as collaborators with licensed therapists and help the client recover and heal. It has been shown to help people of all ages from children to seniors and to act as a source of healing within several different environments such as individual therapy, grief groups, veteran programs and so much more.

The Western Slope has several animal therapy organizations to offer for those interested in pursuing animal therapy as an option for themselves. Animal Assisted Therapy of the Western Slope is located in Grand Junction and was founded by Stacy Mendell. “Initially I wanted to pursue Animal-assisted therapy work because I have always found the presence of animals and our bond with animals to be healing,” Mendell says. Her organization offers several different options for animal therapy including individual therapy with Mendell’s current therapy partner, Ruby — a golden retriever mix. In the past, Mendell has utilized animal therapy in groups for youth who’ve lost someone to suicide, grief groups with HopeWest hospice, and therapy sessions with formerly houseless veterans.

Another animal therapy organization local to Western Colorado is Dream Catcher Therapy, located in Olathe. Founded in 1999 by Kathy Hamm, Dream Catcher Therapy focuses on equine therapy or equine-assisted therapy, a professional field that gives people the ability to have therapy outside the walls of the therapist's office. “Some of the major services we offer would be crisis psychotherapy, plus just traditional therapy,” Hamm says. Dream Catcher Therapy also offers programs for veterans as well as services for seniors through a program called Silver Linings, specifically focused on assisting seniors and families coping with Dementia and the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease as well as seniors living with physical impairments.

In speaking to both Mendell and Hamm about the benefits of animal therapy and what makes it worthwhile, both commented on an animal's great ability to connect with clients. Mendell related that “Animals become a bridge between therapist and client, creating a sense of acceptance and safety”. A person’s heart rate and blood pressure often lower around animals and, as Mendell says, “This makes it easier for people to seek support and to work on issues related to trauma and loss.” Hamm commented, “People are more apt to talk to their animals about what's going on in their life than sitting in a chair facing a therapist in a formal setting.” Animals are quite intuitive creatures and this reality is utilized in animal therapy. “Animals are a lie detector,” Hamm continues, “A horse or a dog will know what's going on with you and they help you and soothe you.”

Photo courtesy of Animal Assisted Therapy of The Western Slope

Animal-assisted therapy may not work for everyone but there are aspects of this form of therapy that can help people on their healing journeys. Sometimes animal therapy can speed up the process; “What we can get done in six to eight months, you may take years and years to get done in a formal setting,” Hamm says. Animal therapy also plays on the inherent bond between humans and animals. “Our connection with animals is part of our evolution, we evolved with and beside them. The connection is based in our nervous system, where mirror neurons allow us to connect and feel empathy with any human or nonhuman animal who experiences emotions,” Mendell relates. Animal-assisted therapy also has a lot to do with building relationships between people and between animals. Hamm remarks, “That's the beauty of therapy is teaching about collaboration and that's what horses do in a herd environment; you have to learn how to build relationships.”

For so many of us, our pets are a great source of support and reassurance; as such it makes sense that they can also act as helpful anchors and guides on one’s therapy journey. For anyone considering animal-assisted therapy as an option, the versatility and building of trust can make this form of therapy incredibly worthwhile.