The following is a list of practitioners and programs offering animal-assisted therapy services within the context of various helping professions.
British Columbia
Centre for Expressive Therapy
846 San Malo Crescent, Parksville, BC V0P 1S5
Contact: Marie-José Dhaese, PhD, R.C.C. (Registered Clinical Counsellor)
Services: Provides holistic, expressive therapies (counselling, imagery/visualization, art therapy, play therapy, sand therapy, storytelling, writing, music, movement, photography, EMDR, etc.) that are accompanied by her dogs, Fleur and Yannick, where appropriate.
Phone: (250) 248-1290
Email: mariejose@shaw.ca
Web: http://www.centreforexpressivetherapy.com/
Ruth Shell, M.A., RCC
Vancouver, BC
Services: Counselling for individuals, couples and families. Pet grief and loss. Sessions may be accompanied by Lucy, the "comfort spaniel" if desired.
Phone: (604) 681-7175
Email: ruth@ruthshell.com
Web: http://www.ruthshell.com/
Stephen J. Harris, MSc, R.C.C.
Origins Consulting and Psychotherapy Services, 420-1105 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, BC V8V 3P9
Services: Uses an integrative therapy approach, synthesizing humanistic, behavioural (CBT), psychodynamic, and spiritual approaches. Currently developing animal-assisted therapy services.
Phone: 250-857-0168
Email: sjharris@shaw.ca
Web: http://www.originscounselling.com/Harris.php
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Alberta
Bosco Homes
6770-129 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5C 1V7
Services: In partnership with the Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta and The Chimo Project, offers an AAT program designed to benefit children at Bosco Homes who have developmental, emotional/behavioral and/or psychiatric disorders.
Phone: (780) 440-0708
Email: abh_admin@boscohomes.ca
Web: http://www.boscohomes.ca/OurPrograms/SpecializedTreatment/AnimalTherapy.aspx
The Chimo Project
Suite 202, 10544-114 St., Edmonton, Alberta T5H 3J7
Services: At the Chimo Project, we recruit and certify therapy animals including dogs, cats, birds and rabbits; train a wide variety of therapists to use animals to help their clients; and provide services to assist new facilities in creating and sustaining their own AAT programs. The Chimo Project also facilitates ongoing AAT programs in the community, in partnership with: Bosco Homes; Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health; Alberta Hospital Edmonton; The Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital; the Association of Adult Day Support Programs; the Shepherd's Care Facility; and school counsellors.
Phone: (780) 452-2452
Email: chimopro@telusplanet.net
Web: http://www.chimoproject.com/Home_Page.html
Dreamcatcher Animal- and Nature-Assisted Therapy Association
53044 RR#213, Ardrossan, Alberta T8G 2C4
Contact: Eileen Bona, M.Ed.
Services: Individual and group therapy sessions involving animals and nature, vocational training focused on farm and ranch work, bush crafts, gardening and animal care. For children, youth and adults with brain injuries, emotional issues, behavioural concerns, mental health diagnoses, youth at risk, addictions, past trauma and abuse, dual and multiple diagnoses, developmental delays, physical impairments, family-oriented concerns, etc. Animal- and nature-assisted therapy training.
Phone: (780) 922-1047
Email: ebona@telusplanet.net
Web: http://www.dreamcatcherassociation.com
Healing Hooves
P.O. Box 417, Cremona, Alberta T0M 0R0
Contact: Sue McIntosh, M.A., C.C.C. (Certified Canadian Counsellor)
Services: Animal-assisted therapy, equine-facilitated counselling and equine-facilitated mental health (EFMH) with people of all ages and facing a variety of challenges. Individual and group sessions, and training in EFMH and AAT.
Phone: (403) 637-2053
Email: sue@healinghooves.ca
Web: http://www.healinghooves.ca
Straja Linder King, MA, ATR-BC, Registered Clinical Art Therapist
Spiritual Directions, 1107-14th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta
Services: Straja Linder King uses individual, couple and group therapy formats, as well as art therapy and animal-assisted therapy, in partnership with her Shiloh Shepherd, Tangus.
Phone: 403-210-2802
Web: http://www.spiritualdirections.com/Strajabio.html
Email: strajalk@shaw.ca / tangus@shaw.ca
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Ontario
BISHPets (Brain Injury Services)
Hamilton, Haldimand-Norfolk and Niagara, Ontario
Services: Animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities services for clients of Brain Injury Services.
Email: lellis@braininjuryservices.com
Web: http://www.braininjuryservices.com/pets.php
Fawg Forest Therapeutic Farm and Counseling Services
RR#2, County Rd. #43, Mountain, Ontario K0E 1S0
Services: Fawg Forest is a private counselling service located 30 minutes south of Ottawa, on a 93-acre property which includes pine forest, rolling meadows and a traditional farm atmosphere. This provides the opportunity for a unique counselling experience which combines the outdoors and therapeutic farm milieu to facilitate the adolescent's counselling and learning experience. Through the combination of animal-facilitated therapy and outdoor education, adolescents learn about themselves and the world around them. The counseling uses a traditional counselling approach with the focus on wellness, life-skills and positive coping strategies. The sessions may include horseback riding lessons, nature arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. The clinical approach is client-centred, building on individual mastery and enjoyment. All ages.
Phone: (613) 989-5678
Lambs for Children
1931 Northport Road, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Contact: Kathleen Foster-Morgan, CGT, FT, OSP (Clinical Member, Ontario Society of Psychotherapists)
Services: Lambs for Children is an 8-week (90 min/week) program that supports and empowers children who are grieving. The program builds on the diversity and inclusiveness of each individual loss. The program utilizes baby lambs (seasonal) or baby bunnies to encourage touch, discussion, and awareness of the cycle of life through the human-animal bond. Since 2001, Lambs for Children has served over 100 families in the Toronto & Durham area, and over 40 families in Prince Edward County. Programs are held at the Edith Fox Centre, in the Pig House (a studio). Each program is delivered by a clinical psychotherapist and trained volunteers who remain with the group throughout its entire series of sessions, ensuring important continuity in what are often discontinuous and shattered lives.
Phone: (613) 476-1128
Email: kathleenfm@willowshore.ca
Web: http://www.pec.on.ca/edithfox/lambs.html
Ottawa Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Suite 750, 1500 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 1B8
Services: Ottawa Therapy Dogs offers both animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animal-assisted activities (AAA). We follow high standards of practice in our programs. Health care professionals involving AAT in their practices include physiotherapists, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, recreation therapists, and registered nurses. Goals vary depending on the discipline.
Phone: (613) 261-6834
Email: info@ottawatherapydogs.ca
Web: http://www.ottawatherapydogs.ca
Youth and Animal Program
Toronto, ON
Contact: Dr. Fred Mathews
Services: YAP is a groundbreaking rehabilitation program matching hard-to-adopt shelter dogs with young people in the justice system, giving both a second chance. What makes YAP unique is the way anger management counselling is combined with dog training. Teens attend the program 4 hours/week for the 11-week cycle, working with two experienced youth counsellors and qualified dog trainers. YAP works in partnership with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA), Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS), Family Services York Region (FSYR), and Youth Justice Services.
Phone: (416) 924-2100 x255
Email: fredmathews@ctys.org
Web: http://www.speakingofdogs.com/Articles/yapp.html
Web: http://www.ctys.org/programs/researchdevelopment.htm
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Quebec
Ami-Zoothérapie
Unspecified location in Quebec
Contact: Daniel Pelletier
Services: Animal-assisted therapy with various species, including horses. Diploma in animal-assisted therapy.
Phone: (514) 266-5251
Email: dan1gi@sympatico.ca
Web: http://www.ami-zootherapie.ca
Anima-Thérapie
Montreal, QC
Contact: France Carlos
Services: Psychotherapy and grief and loss counselling specializing in pet loss and bereavement. Sessions may be in the company of an animal.
Email: animatherapie@videotron.ca
Web: http://www.makisoft.net/animatherapie
Le Bel Agneau Therapeutic Farm (the beautiful lamb)
16 Mizener, West Bolton, Eastern Townships, Quebec
Services: Animal-assisted therapy, equine-assisted therapy and outdoor activities / hebertism for children and youth with autism, pervasive developmental disorders and similar challenges. Camps, weekend stays, group and individual programs. Therapeutic massage. Diploma in animal-assisted therapy.
Phone: (450) 539-0939
Email: therapeutique@lebelagneau.com
Web: http://www.lebelagneau.com
Centre l'Authentique
Montreal and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
Contact: Georges-Henri Arenstein, M.Sc., registered psychologist
Services: The clinicians at Centre l'Authentique provide psychotherapy using a humanistic-existential approach, Gestalt, rebirthing, and animal-assisted therapy. Also offers psychological assessments, workplace/corporate consulting and coaching, and personal development workshops.
Phone: 1-877-346-2577
Email: authenticite@qc.aira.com
Web: http://www.authenticite.qc.ca
Centre Professionnel de Zoothérapie
1021, rue Saint-André, Montreal, QC H2L 3S4
Contact: Arielle Berghman
Services: Offers individual and group animal-assisted therapy sessions to clients of all ages facing various developmental, emotional, behavioural, psychological, physical and intellectual challenges. Also offers training programs in Europe and educational workshops.
Phone: (514) 842-1341
Email: arielle_berghman@hotmail.com
Web: http://users.skynet.be/dabu/zootherapie
Clinique Amis-Maux
11755, boulevard de la Colline, Québec, QC G2A 2E1
Contact: Valérie Gosselin, psychologist and animal-assisted therapist
Services: Offers a range of therapeutic services and professionals, including psychologists, speech-pathologists, social workers, psychoeducators, guidance counsellors, occupational therapists, and animal-assisted therapists. Approaches used: AAT, CBT, client-centred/humanistic, psychodynamic, EMDR, integrative body psychotherapy, art therapy, etc. Serves children, youth, adults, seniors, couples and families. Diploma in animal-assisted therapy.
Phone: (418) 847-2666
Email: info@amis-maux.com
Web: http://www.amix-maux.com/index.php
Coopérative de Solidarité Espace-Temps
41, Grand Boulevard, L'Ile Perrot, QC / Montreal, QC
Contact: Nathalie Saindon, animal-assisted therapist, psychotherapist and biofeedback specialist
Services: Psychotherapy, animal-assisted therapy, biofeedback and psychophysiology, for children, adults, families and high-level professionals and athletes. Focuses on pervasive developmental disorders, ADHD/ADD, learning disabilities, self-esteem, mental retardation, behavioural disorders, social/interpersonal challenges, generalized anxiety, performance anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, phobias and dependencies. Diploma in animal-assisted therapy.
Phone: (514) 902-0872
Email: n.saindon@espace-temps.ca
Web: http://www.psycho-ressources.com/nathalie-saindon.html
Emmanuelle Fournier Chouinard, zoothérapie
Saguenay, QC
Contact: Emmanuelle Fournier Chouinard, registered psychologist
Services: Animal-assisted psychotherapy, animal-assisted therapy and activities (AAT & AAA), supervision, coaching, conferences, workshops and consulting. Instructor in the first ministry-recognized college program, Stratégies d'intervention en zoothérapie. Also acting as consultant for the wilderness and adventure therapy program, Coopérative de solidarité INAQ.
Phone: (418) 678-3012
Email: duloupberger@hotmail.com
Institut Philippe-Pinel
10905 Henri-Bourassa East, Montreal, QC
Contact: Arielle Berghman, psychotherapist and animal-assisted therapist
Services: Internationally-renowned maximum security hospital for forensic psychiatry, offering animal-assisted therapy to patients.
Email: arielle_berghman@hotmail.com / arielleberghman@ssss.gouv.qc.ca (please write to both email addresses to ensure that your message goes through)
Web: http://www.pinel.qc.ca/
La Fondation Zoé
1250, chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec, QC G1S 2M6
Services: Develop programs that seek to improve their clients' quality of life and bring therapeutic assistance by incorporating various animal-assisted interventions. Currently developing a therapeutic and educational centre offering AAT involving horses and donkeys, which includes a research component. Also trains assistance dogs and developing programs for youth at risk and home-based animal-assisted interventions.
Phone: (418) 683-4471 x354
Email: info@fondationzoe.org
Web: http://fondationzoe.org
Muzothérapie
Undisclosed location in Quebec
Contact: Marie-Eve Perreault
Services: Animal-assisted therapy, workshops and animal-assisted activities. Diploma in animal-assisted therapy.
Phone: (819) 701-6621
Email: perreault.marieeve@gmail.com
Web: http://muzotherapie.com/index.htm
Ranch Plus
227 Rang Lepage, Ste-Anne des plaines, Quebec J0N 1H0
Services: Therapeutic riding, animal-assisted therapy, educational farm, and horticulture programs for marginalized individuals, persons with disabilities or who are sick, prisoners, delinquents, youth, and children in the custody of child welfare services.
Phone: 1-800-539-3903
Email: nclark@hintercom.com or zootherapie@295.ca
Web: http://www.ranchplus.org
Julie Simard, animal-assisted therapist
300, St-Paul Ouest, Ste-Marcelline, QC J0K 2Y0
Services: Animal-assisted therapy.
Phone: (450) 883-3144
Email: simard@intermonde.net
Tout Perroquet
Montreal area
Contact: Jeanne Bessette, animal-assisted therapist
Services: Animal-assisted therapy with parrots and dogs, for adults and children facing the following challenges: autism, mental retardation, palliative care, ADHD/ADD, Alzheimer's, physical movement and dexterity. Also offers educational workshops. Diploma in animal-assisted therapy.
Phone: (514) 264-2990
Email: b-7@sympatico.ca / jeanne.bessette@toutperroquet.com
Web: http://www.toutperroquet.com
Zoothérapie
Undisclosed location in Quebec
Contact: Emilie Ravenelle, animal-assisted therapist
Services: Animal-assisted therapy (with 2 dogs, a cat, a chinchilla and a bird) for clients of all ages facing a variety of issues and challenges. Diploma in animal-assisted therapy.
Phone: 819-565-2735
Email: pattesdevelours@therapie-animale.com
Web: http://www.therapie-animale.com
Zoothérapie-Santé inc.
98 Beauchemin, Mercier, QC J6R 2H7
Contact: Anicia Ghoul, animal-assisted therapist
Services: Animal-assisted therapy. Diploma in animal-assisted therapy.
Phone: (450) 691-0908
Web: http://zoosante.com/index.html
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New Brunswick
Project Pawsitive for Kids
Boys and Girls Club of Moncton, 15 Everett Street, Moncton, NB E1C 3Z6
Services: Pawsitive for Kids is a pet therapy program designed to help troubled youth reconnect. It has been recognized internationally by various groups such as the Layton Foundation out of the United States, the Canadian and American Human Associations, and by Crime Prevention Canada, as one of Canada's most avant-garde programs. This program has been used for a model for projects in California and Ontario.
Phone: (506) 853-7356
Email: mbgc@nb.aibn.com
Web: http://www.wesupportmbgc.com/donate/StrongFutures.htm
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