Leandi Verwey - Clinical Psychologist

26/04/2026

I am very excited to announce that from May of this year, Animal Assited Interventions / Animal Assisted Therapy will be introduced into my practice.

Animal Assisted Interventions / Animal Assisted Therapy (AAI / AAT), actively includes an animal (in this case, a dog) in the process of psychotherapy, in meeting different needs. Current research indicates that AAI/AAT can be effectively incorporated within psychotherapeutic work, and that in some cases it also improves the outcome of psychotherapeutic work.

🐾 AAI / AAT is suitable for all ages and can be incorporated into all individual therapies (including adults, children, and teens). It can be adapted to meet the established goals of each person’s plan for therapy, and has demonstrated effectiveness in the management and treatment of anxiety, depression and mood-related disorders, and PTSD.
🐾 AAI / AAT has been demonstrated to improve: emotional functioning (better emotional regulation and stability, creating a sense of comfort, and improved mood); engagement in the process of psychotherapy (fostering trust, increasing motivation to participate, improving interpersonal skills); and, the individual’s physiological state (lowered blood pressure, lowered cortisol, and increased oxytocin).
🐾 AAI / AAT is a complementary non-pharmacological treatment.