Pup based mental health

I was looking around for a picture to replace the generic one on this page.  I came across this one of our girl, Mina.  There she was grinning at us when she was about two years old.  I began to think about Waterloo Counseling where I presently work. 

We are a pup based center.  Several of the therapists have dogs who accompany their people to work.  It is heartwarming to see how many clients and staff respond to the "kids."  Sometimes the pups are greeted before the staff.  One therapist notes clients who are able to get past paralyzing anxiety when they have a pup sitting by them on the couch.  The conversation goes on while the client is giving the pup tummy rubs.  Clients' anxiety is quelled for a bit (the pup is very content) while barriers to feelings and insight are knocked down. 

Sometimes, just for a moment, the world does not seem so formidable.