How We Utilise Animal Assisted Therapy
At Aligned Living, we offer compassionate, transformative animal assisted therapy in Perth that combines the healing presence of animals with personalised therapeutic guidance. Our services are designed for people experiencing trauma, stress, anxiety, grief, or those simply seeking a fresh perspective on life. Using both equine and canine therapy, we create a safe, nurturing environment where emotional connection, personal growth, and long-term healing are possible.
Why Choose Animal Assisted Therapy in Perth?
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a growing therapeutic approach where trained animals are intentionally incorporated into therapy sessions to support emotional, cognitive, and physical wellbeing. At Aligned Living, we’ve seen firsthand the profound impact this therapy may have. Animals offer unconditional acceptance, helping people feel safe and open to explore difficult emotions.
Horses and dogs are the most commonly used therapy animals due to their emotional sensitivity and ability to reflect human behaviour. Their presence can help clients regulate emotions, build trust, and increase self-awareness. AAT sessions may include grooming, walking, observing, leading, or simply sitting with an animal to support therapeutic breakthroughs.
Each session may include:
Time with horses (grooming, walking, leading, or connecting)
Therapy dog interaction (gentle play, petting, sitting quietly)
Mindfulness or grounding exercises
Emotional regulation tools
Conversation and reflection guided by your therapist
How Animal Assisted Therapy Works
At Aligned Living, every session is client-centred and shaped by your needs on the day. Here’s what to expect:
Initial Chat – A conversation to understand what you’re experiencing emotionally and what you'd like to explore.
Education & Models – We may introduce gentle tools or visual models to support understanding of emotional regulation, communication, or mindfulness.
Animal Connection – Choose your level of interaction—observe, groom, lead or walk a horse, or sit quietly with a dog. The experience is about what feels safe and helpful to you.
Reflection – Time to integrate what the animal reflected back to you. What did you notice? What came up?
Integration & Application – Consider how what you learned may apply to your relationships, routines, or emotional wellbeing.
Our facilitators are trauma-informed and skilled at guiding clients through emotionally complex experiences in a grounded, non-judgemental way.
The Healing Power of Animal Assisted Therapy in Perth
Animal assisted therapy in Perth is more than spending time with animals — it’s a carefully structured process that supports mental health, emotional wellbeing, and resilience. At Aligned Living, we combine professional therapeutic guidance with the intuitive presence of horses and dogs to create a powerful experience of healing and growth.
Research shows that animal assisted therapy can lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, and increase serotonin — all of which help calm the nervous system and restore balance. For clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, or depression, simply being around animals encourages a state of safety and openness that allows deeper therapeutic progress.
Our horses reflect human emotions with incredible accuracy, giving participants immediate insight into how they present themselves to others. Dogs, on the other hand, provide a grounding and affectionate presence that helps ease social discomfort and loneliness. Together, these animals create a therapeutic partnership that supports both emotional release and the development of new coping strategies.
Animal assisted therapy in Perth is particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with traditional talk therapy. By engaging in grooming, walking, or non-verbal interaction with animals, clients experience breakthroughs that words alone often cannot achieve. This hands-on approach is empowering, encouraging participants to rebuild trust, strengthen self-esteem, and connect with others in healthier ways.
At Aligned Living, our trauma-informed facilitators ensure every session is safe, personalised, and aligned with your healing goals. Whether you’re navigating a life transition, managing stress, or seeking to reconnect with yourself, animal assisted therapy provides a natural path to lasting emotional wellbeing.
Equine Assisted Therapy in Perth
Horses are especially attuned to human emotion and energy. They provide non-verbal feedback through their behaviour, offering a reflective mirror to our internal states. Working with horses in a therapeutic setting helps build trust, confidence, and emotional intelligence.
Benefits of Equine Therapy include:
Increased self-awareness and insight
Emotional regulation and calming of the nervous system
Building trust through relationship without words
Support for healing from trauma or loss
Development of confidence and personal boundaries
Equine sessions may include groundwork activities, grooming, leading, and connecting through presence and observation. Riding is optional and based entirely on your comfort level.
Canine Assisted Therapy in Perth
Our therapy dogs are intuitive, friendly, and trained to offer calm companionship. For some, especially children or those who feel unsure around larger animals, dogs offer a gentler gateway into the therapeutic process.
Benefits of canine therapy include:
Emotional comfort and reassurance
Reduction in anxiety and blood pressure
Enhanced emotional expression and connection
Improved communication skills through guided interaction
A sense of being grounded and safe in the present moment
Our canine-assisted sessions are ideal for individuals facing anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and emotional regulation challenges.
Who Benefits from Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal assisted therapy in Perth may support people from all walks of life. Our clients include:
Children with Autism or Developmental Delays – Develop communication and social skills in a gentle, non-threatening environment.
Teens and Adults with Anxiety or Depression – Build self-awareness, regulate emotions, and find calm through mindful animal interaction.
Trauma and PTSD Survivors – Rebuild trust, feel safe in the body, and learn to regulate emotions in the presence of emotionally attuned animals.
Seniors – Reduce feelings of loneliness and enhance wellbeing through compassionate interaction.
NDIS Participants – We support individuals on NDIS plans with customised therapy sessions aligned to their goals.
Long-Term Benefits of Equine and Canine Therapy
Animal assisted therapy in Perth is not just about short-term relief — it creates long-lasting benefits that continue well beyond each session. Clients often report that their work with horses and dogs gives them tools they can apply in daily life, from managing emotions to building healthier relationships.
One of the greatest long-term benefits is improved emotional regulation. Horses and dogs respond to human emotions instantly, teaching participants to recognise when they are stressed, anxious, or withdrawn. This real-time feedback helps individuals develop awareness and adopt healthier coping strategies, reducing the impact of triggers in everyday situations.
Another benefit is enhanced self-confidence and trust. As participants care for and connect with therapy animals, they experience small but meaningful successes — leading a horse calmly, or having a dog respond to their presence. These moments build resilience and a sense of achievement, which translates to greater confidence in personal and professional life.
For trauma survivors, equine and canine therapy provides a safe environment to rebuild trust and learn that relationships can be supportive and nurturing. Children and teenagers particularly benefit from these experiences, as they gain emotional tools that support lifelong wellbeing.
Animal assisted therapy in Perth is also increasingly recognised within the NDIS framework as an effective complement to counselling, psychology, and occupational therapy. By combining nature, movement, and emotional connection, this holistic therapy addresses multiple aspects of wellbeing in a way that feels engaging and empowering.
At Aligned Living, our goal is not only to help clients heal but also to equip them with the confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence to thrive long term.
Why Aligned Living?
We’ve created a sanctuary just outside Perth where people can reconnect with themselves through the presence of animals and skilled support. Our therapy model honours your autonomy—you always have a choice. We believe healing is most powerful when done at your pace.
Our team brings:
Deep experience in equine and canine therapy modalities
A warm, professional approach grounded in psychological best practices
Trauma-informed care for all ages and backgrounds
Connection to nature in a peaceful outdoor setting
Accessibility for children, adults, seniors, and NDIS clients
FAQ
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Animal assisted therapy can support individuals experiencing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, stress, autism, and developmental delays. It is also beneficial for those who struggle with traditional talk therapy.
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Animal assisted therapy includes both equine therapy (with horses) and canine therapy (with dogs). While equine therapy provides deep emotional mirroring, canine therapy offers grounding comfort and connection — together they create a holistic approach to healing.
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Yes, our programs are designed for all ages. Many children and teenagers find it easier to engage with animals than in traditional therapy settings, making this a powerful approach for younger clients.
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No prior experience is required. Our trained facilitators guide every session and ensure both you and the animals feel safe and comfortable.
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Yes, equine and canine therapy may be funded under NDIS if included in a participant’s plan. We assist clients and their support coordinators in aligning sessions with relevant NDIS goals.
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Sessions are tailored to each individual. They may involve grooming or leading a horse, walking or sitting with a therapy dog, mindfulness exercises, and guided reflection with a facilitator to help integrate insights into daily life.
Start Your Journey with Animal Assisted Therapy in Perth
If you're seeking a therapy experience that offers something more than just words, animal assisted therapy may be the missing piece.
Whether you're healing from trauma, managing anxiety, or simply feeling disconnected, Aligned Living offers an environment where emotional breakthroughs can occur naturally—supported by the intuitive presence of horses and dogs.
Get in touch with us today to discover how animal assisted therapy in Perth can guide your journey toward wellbeing.
Areas We Serve
At Aligned Living, we provide exceptional Equine Therapy services and Canine-assisted therapy throughout Perth and surrounding suburbs including Butler, Tapping, and Clarkson - delivering a unique experience that goes beyond traditional methods.