Animal assisted therapy

Therapy assisted by animals is where an animal is involved throughout the therapeutic process to assist the treating clinician in working with an individual client or within a group setting to reach a specific treatment goal.  The clinician is working within the scope of their training and at all times offering evidence-based and best practice therapeutic modalities.

This means that Animal Assisted Allied Health sessions are eligible for funding from whichever third party payers you may be accessing, such as:

- NDIS

- Medicare

- DVA

- WorkCover

- Private Health 

Therapy assisted by animals can be for suitable for a range of client populations and presentations. As the therapist is engaging the client in evidence-based and goal directed therapy activities, the animal becomes involved in the activity only where it is appropriate and beneficial to the client and their therapy goals.

 Involving animals in therapy can be a useful adjunct for certain client populations who find it difficult to engage in therapy activities without the presence of an appropriately trained animal.

Animal Assisted Therapy is not necessarily suitable for everyone. 

As such, these services are offered on a case-by-case basis when the clinician has established client suitability, and considered that the involvement of the therapy animal could contribute to client outcomes. 

Further to this, out animals have personalities too! 

Just as finding 'the right therapist for you' is so important, so is matching to the right therapy animal. Our team makes every effort possible to match our clients to the 'best fit' therapist and therapy animal, however there is no exact science to this. If you or your therapist feel that there is a better match for you, they will discuss this openly with you and do everything possible to help facilitate your success in your therapy journey.