Oliver "Ollie", THD, CGCA, TKN

Breed: Cockapoo-  a mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle. 

Birthday -  5/24/2022

Hobbies: Begging people to pet me, chasing tennis balls

Titles -  Therapy Dog (THD), Trick Dog Novice(TKN) , Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA) Community Canine.

Therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort, support, and affection to people.  There job is to make you make you happier and provide comfort when you need it.  They are trained in obedience, behavior, and socialization.  Therapy dogs are not service dogs and do not have special privileges in shopping centers, on airplanes, and in restricted housing.  Ollie is only treated specially at Prairieville Counseling by our therapists and clients.

Ollie has earned the titles of AKC Therapy Dog (THD), AKC Good Citizen Test (CGC) and AKC Community Canine or Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA) .  Ollie is also learning tricks and has earned the  Trick Dog, Novice (TKN) title. Ollie is a member of the Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy Program – Louisiana Capital City Obedience Club.

Ollie has learned both hand and verbal commands. Clients are welcome to help train him by waiting to pet him until he is calm, not allowing him to nip at hands or jump onto clients, giving him treats for waiting, and using basic commands (sit, stay, down, come). If a client prefers that Ollie be in another room or be in his crate during sessions, please let Prairieville Counseling staff know.  

There are designated spaces in Prairieville Counseling offices for Ollie. This is Ollie’s space where he can rest, sleep, and/or take a break without interruption or intrusion. This includes his beds and his kennel. Clients should not interact with Ollie when he is in the locations. 

There is a lot of research that has  shown that having animals in therapy session has positive benefits in the therapeutic process.  Animals have proven to  increase  good oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin in your body. And looking into their eyes gives a boost to these hormones.   Clients that are processing trauma have been shown to find peace playing with animals or just being around them.  Additional benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy are:

• Reduction in blood pressure
• Lowered stress and anxiety levels
• Enhanced self esteem
•  Increased emotional awareness and regulation
• Reduced aggression
• Reduced loneliness
•  Improved immune system
• Increased trust and trustworthiness
•  Reduction of depression and sadness.
• Stimulates positive communication

ALLERGIES - Although a specific client may not be interacting with Ollie, he will still be present in the Prairieville Counseling office. If the client has an allergy to dogs, please let us know so that we can provide appropriate accommodations. 

SANITATION - Hand sanitizer, soap and lint rollers are provided in our bathrooms.

OTHER ANIMALS -   To protect the safety and wellbeing of Ollie, our clients, and our staff- no other pets or emotional support animals are permitted at Prairieville Counseling. Trained service animals are always permitted. Please notify our staff of your intent to have them accompany you to your therapy session so that Ollie can be removed from the premises or secured prior to their arrival.