Animal Assisted Therapy Q&A

What is animal-assisted therapy?

Animal-assisted therapy with Dr. Bin-Nun uses her three therapy dogs (or just one or two depending on patient preference) to provide pet therapy for patients of all ages struggling with mental health challenges. She has worked for over 22 years with her Pet Partner Complex-rated therapy dogs who work at the UCLA People Animal Connection, and who help children in schools, older adults in senior day care centers, psychiatric patients, and patients in or out of the hospital who have medical and psychological issues.

Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to calm patients, reduce stress, and improve their overall mental health. Dr. Bin-Nun is also available to speak about animal-assisted therapy, without a fee, to classrooms of children and other interested larger groups.

What are the benefits of animal-assisted therapy?

The benefits of animal-assisted therapy include reduced stress, a happier mood, therapy session comforting support, and positive behavior changes. Dr. Bin-Nun’s dogs are highly trained and have many years of experience soothing patients struggling with mental and physical health challenges. 

Is animal-assisted therapy right for me?

Psychotherapy and/or including Animal-assisted therapy is useful for anyone struggling with one or more of the following:

  • Panic disorder
  • Phobias
  • Eating disorders
  • Limit Setting and Consequences
  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Anger management issues
  • Marriage or Family Therapy
  • Grief 
  • Insomnia
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Prader Willi
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorders
  • Academic/Education struggles
  • Behavioral observations of children in school or home
  • Conduct and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Children with anger and fear/anxiety issues
  • Play Therapy (evaluation included)
  • School Phobia
  • Inclusion support
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Parent consultation and guidance
  • Physical Disabilities
  • Social Skills
  • Couples Counseling including Conscious Uncoupling (Marital Dissolution)
  • School liaison work

Kids and adults of all ages benefit from being in therapy sessions or possibly including therapy dogs, especially those going through life’s challenges or recovering from trauma. Dr. Bin-Nun provides individual therapy, family counseling, marriage counseling, and group therapy sessions.

What should I expect during animal-assisted therapy sessions?

During animal-assisted therapy with Dr. Bin-Nun, she offers her therapy dogs. You can sit by the dogs and pet them during each session. She reviews your mental health history, lifestyle habits, symptoms, and thought and behavior patterns. 

After developing a talk therapy treatment, she helps you overcome difficult situations by using eclectic and supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or other methods that alter lifestyle habits and your thoughts, mood, and emotions. 

In addition to animal-assisted therapy, Dr. Bin-Nun also provides art therapy, cooking therapy groups (stressing eating disorders and body dysmorphia issues), play therapy, Castoffz-artful recycle programs, pet memorial tables, and dog memory pillows to help her patients better cope with grief. 

To take part in animal-assisted therapy with Judith Bin-Nun, Ph.D., MA, LMFT, LPCC, call the Office Manager, Allison, at 310-301-9992.