Welcome to Animal Assisted HillBilly Hiking
Animals stimulate us not only by touch, but by some deeply buried aspect of nature within us, a connection to part of something greater, more healthy, more whole.
Peter Levine
Relationships are the agents of change and the most powerful therapy is love.
Dr. B Perry
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
Animal therapy (pet therapy, animal-assisted therapy, animal-assisted activities) is a type of mental health restoration that allows clients to receive therapeutic support and comfort from an animal. This type of therapy uses animals as co-therapists to complement traditional talk therapy by providing comfort, and helping clients feel less isolated in their journey. Therapy animals can provide clients with a sense of safety, acceptance, comfort, and love. Dogs are among the most common animal used in pet therapy but many other types of animals, such as horses, cats, birds, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and potbelly pigs, are effective. Having another living creature in the therapy session as part of the therapeutic process can reduce anxiety, stress, and unease. Everyone from all ages and backgrounds can benefit from the assistance of animals in their therapeutic journey. Animals can have soothing effect for people helping them to manage feelings. Helping to care for an animal motivates some people to want to heal and move forward in life. Animals may give them a reason to do so. You don't have to be struggling with emotional issues to benefit from the presence of an animal.
Animal Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT)
Animal Assisted HillBilly Hiking offers a unique experience that combines animals or pets, nature, and can incorporate play to nurture our inner landscape. Animal Assisted Therapy is when animals are co-therapists in goal driven treatment sessions. These goals can be physical, mental, emotional and/or social. Our team, with backgrounds in Counselling Psychology, Psychology, Education, and Special Education are dedicated to helping you rejuvenate your senses through animal assisted nature-based play activities. Knowing an animal is part of your treatment plan may rejuvenate you and help you feel ready and excited for regular therapy sessions and may even increase healthy participation in daily life.
Research suggests that therapy animals who take the role of a co-therapist can promote collaboration between client and therapist, strengthening the therapeutic bond through increased trust of the dog and practitioner. Interactions with animals in therapy have shown to boost mood, self-awareness, and self-confidence. Animals and pets can provide countless amounts of benefits for people.
Visitation Program
A visitation program is when animals accompany their owners to visit with the patients or residents. One study suggests spending time with an animal for a little as 50 minutes a week over several months can add to increased emotional and physical well-being of seniors in a nursing home. There are other examples of therapeutic interventions with animals such as: cats living in long-term care facilities, used to educate clients/children on how to take care of animals giving them a chance to connect, helping with farm chores to feed, care, and play with the animals, or emotional support dogs in the classroom. There are many creative ways of working with animals to improve the quality of life for people.
Services
Walk and Talk with Your Animal Companion
Animal Companions MUST be leashed.
Experience the healing power of connection with nature and furry friends on a walk and talk. Rejuvenate your mind and body.
Our walk and talk sessions are designed to help you connect with nature in the company of our furry friends. The experience is both adventurous and therapeutic, providing a unique opportunity to talk and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.
Our walk and talk sessions are guided by experts in psychology and special education to ensure a safe and therapeutic experience with
- Adventures with our furry companions
- Therapeutic rejuvenation
- Natural connection
Nature therapy and animal-assisted therapy are incorporated into our individual walk and talk therapy sessions to help you connect with the healing power of the natural world and animals. Whether it's discussing lifestyle changes or pinpointing triggers, we explore the benefits of these approaches to promote relaxation and stress reduction with the assistance of our furry friends/companions. We are here to support you every step of the way.
Animal-Assisted Counseling
Counseling with Comfort
There are many benefits of animal therapy that go well beyond feelings of comfort and emotional support. Studies have found animal assisted therapy to effectively help people to relax, have breakthroughs in the talk therapy process, lower blood pressure and slow heart rate, regulate hormones, and improve interactions and behaviors, among other things.
The client, therapist, and animal work together in therapeutic activities that are outlined in a treatment plan with clear goals for change, measurable objectives, and the expectation of identifiable progress toward the treatment goals. The therapy can take many forms, based on the patient, the animal, and the goals for treatment.
Animal-assisted therapy is used to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapy. Our animal-assisted counseling services are provided by experienced counselors who are trained in integrating animals into the therapeutic process. Whether you're seeking personal growth, emotional healing, or simply looking to rest/reset, practitioners at the HillBilly Resort are here to support you in your journey.
Our pet-assisted counseling services integrate the support of leashed animal companions into traditional counseling approaches. This innovative method can enhance the therapeutic process and provide a comforting presence during sessions. Please contact to discuss this possibility. Not all pets are suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
“I never knew how much I needed this until I experienced it. The combination of nature, animals, and therapy has brought so much peace and clarity to my life. Thank you!”
Dewfus McCoy
Contact us
Get in touch with us for a transformative experience with nature and animals!
Location
Animal Assisted HillBilly Hiking - Forest Therapy
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
About us
Animal Assisted HillBilly Hiking - Forest Therapy is dedicated to promoting well-being through nature-based activities and animal companionship. Our team is passionate about providing a unique and effective approach to therapy, combining the healing power of nature with the support of furry friends.
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