Therapy Dogs in Couple and Family Therapy: A Therapist’s Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand therapists’ strategies, benefits, and challenges in working with therapy dogs in couple and family therapy. Eight individuals participated in semi-structured interviews; areas of inquiry included how therapists made the decision to work with a therapy dog, how the therapy dog was managed in session, the impact of the therapy dog’s presence in the therapy process, and concluded with recommendations for therapists who aspire to work with canine-assisted psychotherapy (CAP) in their practices. The data were analyzed using transcendental phenomenology. The findings suggest that the majority of therapists who use CAP with couples and families find it to be beneficial for their clients, the therapy dog, and the therapists themselves, with the identification of a few challenges. Participants reported that compared to individual therapy, in which the therapy dog is included to fulfill a treatment goal or enhance a therapy model, in couple and family therapy, the therapist was much more flexible in regards to the therapy dog’s presence. Overall, therapists observed the system’s dynamics as family members interacted with the dog. Additionally, the majority of participants reported on the therapy dog’s ability to help the therapist better understand their clients and the dog’s presence also helped to overcome challenges particular to working with more than one client. Clinical and research implications are discussed.