How therapy dogs help in teenage therapy.

For some young people, therapy can feel daunting — especially when talking feels difficult. Our therapy dogs, Womble and Pingu, can sometimes make things feel a little easier. When it’s right to involve them, their calm, reassuring presence can help the room feel less formal, less pressured and more welcoming.

Why animals can help in therapy

Therapy pets don’t replace the therapist. They give young people something calm to notice, sit beside or gently interact with when talking feels difficult.

For children and teenagers who feel nervous, overwhelmed or unsure about how to open up, having a calm dog nearby can also make the room feel less clinical and more human.

Animals don’t ask questions, expect eye contact, or need a young person to explain everything perfectly. This means they can play a quiet, important role in helping someone ease into the room, steady themselves if the conversation feels intense, and open up in their own time.

Womble’s role at TMH

Therapy dogs aren’t automatically part of every session. We always think carefully about whether Womble’s presence is right for each young person, and whether it will genuinely help.

Sometimes, Womble may be in the room from the start, helping the space feel more relaxed as a young person settles in. At other times, Womble might join partway through, to ease the pressure, sit quietly nearby, or wander over gently at a difficult moment so the young person has something calm to stroke while they find their words.

There’s no pressure for a young person to interact with him. Some may want Womble close by. Others may prefer him at a little distance. And if someone doesn’t want a dog involved at all, that’s completely fine.

Pet profiles

Our Therapy Dogs

Womble

Therapy Dog

Womble’s a gentle, friendly White German Shepherd who has been part of Teenage Mental Health since he was a young pup.

Often one of the first faces visitors see when they arrive, Womble has a natural way of making young people, parents and families feel welcomed and at ease. He’s calm, well-mannered and never forces interaction, which makes him especially reassuring for young people who need time and space before they’re ready to speak.

He has completed basic, intermediate and advanced obedience training, and continues to develop new skills through regular agility training.

His approach is gentle, curious and quietly reassuring, with a strong belief in warm welcomes, calm spaces and the occasional tickle behind the ears.

Womble also works closely with Fiona as part of her doctoral research, exploring how therapy dogs can support children and young people emotionally within therapeutic settings.

Pingu

Apprentice Therapy Dog

Pingu is a large, fluffy German Shepherd cross Chow who joined us as a young pup.

He’s at the start of his therapy dog training. Following in Womble’s footsteps, he’s gentle, calm and quietly observant, and enjoys being around people without needing to be the centre of attention.

He’s already spending time in the therapeutic environment, and is gradually getting used to the sounds, emotions and experiences of a busy counselling setting. His relaxed temperament means he’s often happy to settle nearby, quietly share space with someone, or keep a thoughtful eye on the room from a comfortable distance.

Specialist support

BACP-accredited support

Every therapist in our team is BACP-certified, with the training, experience and professional approach needed to support young people and families well. Led by Clinical Director Fiona Hannah, everyone here is committed to helping young people and families make sense of what’s going on and begin to move forward.

Why we're here

Making the right support easier to reach 

Young people and families often need support at moments that feel urgent, confusing or overwhelming. We started Teenage Mental Health in [year] to make it easier to get the right help – with support shaped around the realities of adolescence.

female therapist and teen in neutral room

About Therapy

A space to talk things through

A simple guide to how therapy can support young people and what to expect from it.

Learn more

Therapy Types

Shaping therapy approaches around the person

We use different therapy techniques depending on the person, their age and what they’re going through. These include CBT, trauma-informed therapy, play therapy, attachment-focused therapy, psychotherapy and integrative counselling. It’s about finding the approach that gives the right support at the right time.

Learn more

Not every session includes a dog

Therapy dogs aren’t right for every young person. Some children and teenagers love animals.  Others may feel nervous around dogs, have allergies, or simply prefer not to have them in the room. We’ll always respect that.

If Womble is involved, it’ll be because it’s appropriate for the young person and helpful to the therapeutic work. The aim is always to make the space feel safer and more comfortable – never more pressured.

How therapy dogs help in teenage therapy.

Why animals can help in therapy

Womble’s role at TMH

Our Therapy Dogs

Womble

Therapy Dog

Pingu

Apprentice Therapy Dog

BACP-accredited support

Making the right support easier to reach

A space to talk things through

Shaping therapy approaches around the person

Not every session includes a dog

Book your FREE first session

Making the right support easier to reach 