Meet Buster, my therapy dog

Buster is my little chihuahua, and he's very much part of how I work. He comes into sessions with me, and over the years he's come into schools and hospitals too. Honestly, he gets recognised more than I do. Around here I'm not always Ali the counsellor, I'm “Buster's mum.”

There's a real reason he helps, and it isn't just that he's cute. When you're with an animal, your breathing starts to slow and settle in time with theirs. That calm is a lovely way in, especially if you're feeling anxious or nervous about counselling, or finding it hard to put what you're feeling into words. Sometimes it's easier to start by stroking a dog than by talking, and the talking comes more gently after that.

He's particularly good with children and young people. They tend to relax around him straight away, and that bit of trust makes everything that follows easier. Animals are healing, I've seen it again and again.

Buster joins in-person sessions in Skelmorlie. If you'd love him there, or you'd rather he wasn't, just say. Whatever helps you feel comfortable.