Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-Assisted Therapy for Teens & Young Adults

Healing through connection, comfort, and compassionate care.

Healing doesn't always begin with words. Sometimes the calm presence of a rabbit creates the safety and connection needed for real conversations to begin.

With Daisy by your side, animal-assisted therapy offers a gentle, evidence-informed approach that helps teens and young adults feel more comfortable, engaged, and supported throughout the healing process.

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Daisy the therapy rabbit at Creature Commons Counseling

What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is an evidence-informed counseling approach that intentionally incorporates animals into the therapeutic process.

The therapy animal is an active part of the counseling process, helping build trust, strengthen connection, and support meaningful therapeutic goals.

Daisy, the therapy rabbit, resting on a client's lap during an animal-assisted therapy session.

Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy offers more than the calming presence of a rabbit. Every interaction is intentionally designed to support your treatment goals and create meaningful opportunities for growth.
Build Trust & Connection
Build trust, strengthen relationships, and feel more comfortable opening up during therapy.
Reduce Anxiety & Stress
A calm animal presence can help ease anxiety and make counseling feel less intimidating.
Emotional Regulation
Practice healthy ways to manage overwhelming emotions and navigate difficult moments.
Mindfulness & Presence
Learn to slow down, stay present, and become more aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Communication Skills
Feel more comfortable expressing emotions and discussing difficult experiences.
Confidence & Self-Advocacy
Build confidence while practicing independence, responsibility, and healthy decision-making.
Empathy & Compassion
Develop empathy through observing animal behavior and respectful interactions.
Personalized Therapeutic Support
Every activity is selected intentionally to support your individual treatment goals.
Therapy Bunny

Meet Daisy

Daisy Doreen is my therapy bunny and an important part of the Creature Commons Counseling experience. Calm, curious, and gentle, she helps create a welcoming environment where teens and young adults can feel safe, relaxed, and ready to connect.

Age
1.5 years
Breed
English Spot / American Rabbit Mix
Favorite Treat
🍌 Bananas
Favorite Activities
Exploring • Splooting • Meeting new people

Daisy was rescued through Houston Rabbit Rescue after being found living alongside a small colony of feral cats on the streets of Houston. Today, she helps create a calm, welcoming environment where teens and young adults feel safe, supported, and more comfortable opening up during therapy.

Daisy the therapy rabbit exploring her enrichment toys
Daisy the therapy rabbit taking a treat during an interaction
Daisy the therapy rabbit relaxing in a calm environment
Daisy's the therapy rabbit's house

Why Rabbits Can Help

Rabbits bring a unique perspective to therapy. As naturally quiet, observant prey animals, they communicate through subtle body language rather than words. Watching Daisy respond to her environment often helps clients better understand their own emotions, nervous system, and sense of safety.
Safety First
Before rabbits rest, explore, or play, they first make sure they feel safe. This creates a natural opportunity to talk about what safety looks and feels like in our own lives.
Trust Takes Time
Daisy chooses when and how she interacts. As trust develops naturally, clients experience healthy boundaries, patience, and respectful relationships in action.
Regulation & Calm
Watching a rabbit gradually relax helps illustrate how our nervous system also begins to settle when we feel safe, connected, and supported.
Portrait of Daisy, the therapy rabbit at Creature Commons Counseling
Understanding Rabbit Behavior

Learn how rabbits communicate through body language and discover simple ways to better understand their behavior during interactions.

View the Rabbit Behavior Guide
Understanding Trauma
The Unique Connection Between Rabbits & Trauma Survivors

As prey animals, rabbits are naturally wired to stay alert and aware of potential danger. Before they can rest, play, or explore, they first need to feel safe.

Many trauma survivors recognize this feeling. Trauma often leaves the nervous system constantly scanning for danger, making it difficult to fully relax or trust that the threat has passed.

Watching Daisy communicate through her body language often creates meaningful conversations about fear, safety, and emotional regulation. As clients see her gradually move from vigilance to relaxation, they are reminded that healing also begins with feeling safe.

What a Session May Look Like

Every activity involving Daisy is intentionally chosen to support your individual treatment goals. These examples illustrate how simple interactions can encourage emotional growth, self-awareness, and healing.
Mindfulness
Petting Daisy encourages clients to slow down, stay present, and reconnect with the moment through gentle, intentional interaction.
Trust & Boundaries
Observing how Daisy approaches new people naturally opens conversations about trust, consent, and healthy relationships.
Emotional Regulation
Clients often practice calming strategies before interacting with Daisy, reinforcing emotional awareness and self-regulation.
Trauma Reflection
Watching a prey animal respond to safety and uncertainty can help clients better understand their own nervous system and trauma responses.

Every interaction is thoughtfully integrated into the client's individualized treatment plan, helping build confidence, resilience, and long-term emotional growth.

Qualifications

Professional training and ethical standards ensure every animal-assisted therapy session is safe, intentional, and tailored to each client.
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Under the supervision of Dr. Kendra McLaughlin
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist
Ongoing Professional Education
Therapy Animal Evaluations
Professional Liability Insurance

Every animal-assisted therapy session is guided by ethical standards, professional training, and careful client screening to ensure the approach is safe, appropriate, and tailored to each individual's treatment goals.

Certified through the Association of
Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP)

Is Animal-Assisted Therapy Right for You?

Every client is different, but many teens and young adults find that a calm animal presence helps them feel more comfortable, connected, and engaged in therapy.
Feel Nervous About Therapy
Looking for a calm, welcoming environment that makes counseling feel less intimidating.
Love Animals
Love spending time with animals and feel more comfortable in their presence.
Learn Best Through Experience
Benefit from hands-on, experiential approaches that encourage active participation.
Ready to Grow
Want to build confidence, emotional awareness, and healthy coping skills.

Every session is tailored to your individual goals. Some clients enjoy actively interacting with Daisy throughout counseling, while others simply appreciate the calming presence she brings. Together, we'll decide what feels most comfortable and beneficial for you.

Common Questions About Animal-Assisted Therapy

Get clarity and reassurance in the questions clients ask most often.

Financial assistance is available.
Sessions: $150 / 50 minutes | Online or In-Person | Lake Conroe, TX
Who is Animal-Assisted Therapy best suited for?
Will I interact with Daisy during every session?
Is Animal-Assisted Therapy used in every counseling session?
Can I still benefit from therapy if I'm unsure about interacting with animals?
How do I know if Animal-Assisted Therapy is right for me?

Begin Your Healing Journey

Whether you're exploring counseling for yourself or your teen, we're here to answer your questions and help you decide whether animal-assisted therapy is the right fit — with no pressure and no obligation.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Every journey begins with one conversation.
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Explore Equine-Assisted Therapy →