Cuddly counselor: Addition of therapy dog in-training brings new source of comfort to patients at Pica & Associates

Pica & Associates Psychological Services and Holistic Medicine in St. Charles announced the newest addition to their ever-growing list of services this summer by including animal assisted therapy with Chomsky, a therapy dog in-training.

While the concept of animals being able to help individuals with mental health issues has recently become more accepted, and even in some cases protected by law in some housing and work situations, the use of animal assisted therapy dates back to the early 1900s.

Famous psychotherapist Sigmund Freud began including his dog in psychotherapy sessions and noticed that patients of all ages - children, adolescents, and adults alike - typically responded favorably to the presence of the dog, and responded by speaking more openly and being willing to talk about more painful issues.

Animal assisted therapy has been shown to have a wide range of physical and mental health benefits, including: lowering blood pressure, releasing endorphins (which gives a calming effect), decreasing feelings of isolation and alienation, decreasing anxiety, helping children to overcome speech and emotional disorders, and more.

Pica & Associates is excited to announce the addition of Chomsky, Therapy Dog In-Training at their St. Charles office location, located at 4N701 School Road Suite A, on the border of St. Charles and Campton Hills.

Chomsky, who comes from a family of service dogs, is receiving training at Love Your K9 and My Bodyguard Dogs, and will be out of the office to attend overnight training camps from Oct. 13 through Nov. 11.

Chomsky's intelligence paired with a loving personality have made him very responsive to all training classes, and well-suited for being a therapy dog.

For more information on Animal Assisted Therapy and related resources, or to read Chomsky's full bio, please visit Pica & Associates' website at: www.pica-associates.com/animal-assisted-therapy. Or for any questions, please contact the St. Charles office at office@picaassoc.net or call (630) 549-6497.

Pica & Associates Psychological Services and Holistic Medicine is a full service child, adolescent, and family psychology practice that provides an array of therapy services including: art therapy, psychological assessment, school consultation, individual and family therapy, postpartum depression therapy, and more.