Find an Animal Assisted Therapist Near Me
Search by your city to see real licensed counselors near you, then ask which ones offer animal assisted therapy. You can compare formats, check insurance, and reach out today.
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What an Animal Assisted Therapist Does
How a trained animal becomes part of real talk therapy
An animal assisted therapist is a licensed mental health counselor who brings a trained animal into sessions on purpose. The animal is not a pet that happens to be in the room. It is part of a plan with goals you and the therapist set together. This work is often called animal assisted therapy, or AAT for short.
The most common partner is a dog, which you may hear called canine assisted therapy. Horses, cats, rabbits, and even guinea pigs are used too. The therapist guides what happens. You might brush the dog while you talk through a hard week, or notice how the animal reacts when your voice tightens. Those small moments give the therapist a window into what you feel.
Pet therapy and animal therapy can lower your heart rate and help you feel safe enough to open up. That calm is the point. The animal does not replace the counseling. It makes the talking easier, especially when words are hard to find.
When Animal Assisted Therapy Helps
Anxiety, autism, trauma, grief, and more
Animal assisted therapy can help with many of the same things regular talk therapy treats. The animal lowers the wall that fear and shame put up.
Anxiety, trauma, and depression
For anxiety, depression, and PTSD, petting a calm dog can slow your breathing and ease panic in the moment. People who freeze up in standard sessions often talk more freely with an animal beside them. Grief and stress ease the same way.
Children and autism
Kids and teens often connect with an animal before they trust an adult. Animal assisted therapy for autism is a growing area, and many families look for it by name. A child who will not make eye contact may still reach out to a gentle dog, which opens the door to the rest of the work.
If you or someone you love is in crisis or thinking about suicide, do not wait for a session. Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, free and open 24 hours a day.
What Animal Assisted Therapy Costs
Self-pay ranges, sliding scale, and insurance
Most animal assisted therapy is billed as regular counseling, so the cost looks like normal therapy. Self-pay sessions usually run $100 to $250, depending on your city and the therapist's license. Many counselors keep a few sliding scale spots at $40 to $100 for people paying out of pocket.
What insurance covers
Insurance almost never lists animal assisted therapy as its own service. What it does cover is the counseling itself. If your therapist is in network, you often pay a copay of $20 to $60 and the animal is simply part of how they work. Always confirm before you book.
Ask whether the animal time adds any fee. Most therapists fold it into the session price, but a few who travel with a horse or work at a farm charge more for the setting. Get the number in writing so there are no surprises on your first visit.
Animal Therapist Programs and Training
What programs and courses good providers complete
When you read that a counselor offers animal assisted therapy, it helps to know what real training looks like. This is not about hiring a career coach. You are checking that your provider learned to do this safely.
Programs that signal real skill
Strong animal therapist programs teach both mental health practice and animal handling. The therapist holds a full counseling or social work license first. On top of that, they complete animal therapy programs or continuing education that cover safety, animal welfare, and how to build therapy goals around the animal. Their therapy dog is usually registered and screened through a recognized group.
Courses and ongoing learning
Good providers keep up with animal therapist courses over time. Ask what an animal therapist course taught them and when they last refreshed it. You want someone who can explain why they use an animal for your goals, not just someone who likes dogs. The animal's health and temperament should be checked on a schedule, which protects both of you.
How to Confirm a Therapist Offers Animal Assisted Therapy
Exact first-call questions and what to listen for
Our roster shows licensed counselors near you. It does not filter by animal assisted therapy on its own, so the smart move is to call and ask a few clear questions. A good therapist will answer all of these without hesitation.
- Do you actually use an animal in sessions, or refer out? You want a yes from the person you will see, not a vague maybe.
- What animal, and how is it trained and registered? Listen for a real answer about screening, vet checks, and a recognized program.
- Have you used animal assisted therapy for my concern? Anxiety, autism, grief, and trauma each call for a slightly different plan.
- What is your license and how long have you done this work? Look for LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or psychologist plus animal training on top.
- What does a session cost, and does the animal add a fee? Get the number and your insurance status up front.
If an answer feels rushed or unclear, keep looking. The right fit will explain how the animal serves your goals. And if you are ever in crisis, call or text 988 right away rather than waiting for an appointment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about animal assisted therapists
What is animal assisted therapy?
Animal assisted therapy, or AAT, is talk therapy where a trained animal is part of the plan. A licensed counselor uses the animal to help you feel calm and open up. It is different from simply having a pet in the room.
Is there an animal assisted therapist near me?
Use the search box above to see licensed counselors in your city, then ask which ones offer animal assisted therapy. Our roster lists real providers but does not filter by this niche, so calling to confirm is the surest way.
Does animal assisted therapy help with autism?
Many families seek animal assisted therapy for autism because a child may connect with a gentle dog before trusting an adult. It can support social and emotional goals. Ask the therapist about their experience with autistic clients.
How much does an animal assisted therapist cost?
Self-pay sessions usually run $100 to $250, with some sliding scale spots at $40 to $100. If your therapist is in network, you may pay a $20 to $60 copay. The animal time is normally included in the session price.
What is the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog?
A therapy service dog or therapy animal works inside sessions to help many clients feel calm. A service dog is trained for one person's specific disability and goes everywhere with them. Animal assisted therapy uses therapy animals, not personal service dogs.
What if I am in crisis between sessions?
Do not wait for your next appointment. Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline any time, day or night, for free and confidential support. Animal assisted therapy is helpful but it is not emergency care.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Pet Therapy and Health
- National Institutes of Health: The Power of Pets
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- American Psychological Association: Finding a Therapist
Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about a medical condition. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Our editorial standards