A gentle way back to connection
Animal-assisted therapy offers a different therapeutic doorway—one that moves beyond traditional talk therapy and invites us into the present moment. This work is relational, body-based, and experiential, focusing on physical presence, emotional safety, and nervous system settling. Through supported interaction with animals, we create opportunities for grounding, co-regulation, and developing emotional awareness. It is a space to explore boundaries, build trust, and rediscover connection in a way that feels safe, gentle, and deeply human.
Therapy Dog & Chickens
Therapy Dog
A therapy dog may support emotional safety, co-regulation, trust, confidence, warmth and gentle relational connection.
Chickens
Chickens may support grounding, observation, sensory awareness, mindful care, boundaries, patience and connection with nature.
Why animals?
Animals bring us into the present moment. They help us notice our energy, pace, boundaries and capacity for connection. Working with animals supports slowing down, regulation, presence and understanding our own relationship patterns.
Grounding
Supporting presence and sensory connection in the here and now.
Co-regulation
Sharing a calm nervous system state to find a sense of safety.
Trust & Boundaries
Practising clear communication and respectful relational space.
Emotional Awareness
Noticing and naming feelings through the mirror of animal interaction.
Why chickens?
Chickens invite observation, slowness, curiosity and care. They support mindfulness and sensory grounding, helping us practise calm presence, patience, attunement and respect.
Mindful Observation
Deeply noticing movement, sounds and presence.
Gentle Care
Practising nurturing and responsibility in nature.
Boundaries & Consent
Learning to read subtle cues and respect space.
Sensory Grounding
Tactile and auditory grounding experiences.
What animal-assisted therapy may support
✓
Anxiety and overwhelm
✓
Trust and connection
✓
Nervous system regulation
✓
Emotional awareness
What sessions may look like
Observe
01
Noticing cues and behaviors.
Connect
02
Building relational contact.
Regulate
03
Settling the nervous system.
Reflect
04
Exploring meaning and feelings.
This may be supportive if you:
- Find talk-only therapy difficult
- Benefit from experiential engagement
- Are drawn to animals
- Seek safety
This may not be suitable if you:
- Have severe allergies/fears
- Display animal aggression
- Cannot follow safety directions
Evidence-informed foundations
Dog-assisted therapy
Interactions lower cortisol and increase oxytocin.
Trauma intervention
Building safety via somatic co-regulation.
Barker & Dawson (1998); Beetz et al. (2012); Chandler (2012); Fine (2015); Maujean et al. (2013); Social Farms & Gardens database.
Register your interest
Registering your interest helps us understand individual needs and shape future availability for animal-assisted therapy Sydney. Join our community to be the first to know when sessions begin at A Moments Practice.
Registering interest does not guarantee suitability or availability. All clients will still need to complete the intake and suitability process before sessions are confirmed.
Looking for support now?
We currently offer holistic counselling, psychotherapy and values-based coaching services for anxiety, depression, trauma patterns, nervous system regulation, neurodivergence and life direction across Hornsby and Hills District.