Animal-Assisted Therapy Caulfield North | Therapy Dogs

How The Dogs Help

What animal-assisted therapy can help with

Spending time with a calm, friendly dog can ease the body's stress response and make therapy feel less daunting, especially in the first few sessions.

Anxiety & Stress

Stroking or sitting with a dog can slow breathing and help the body settle.

Trauma

A grounding presence that can help you feel safe while talking about difficult experiences.

Opening Up

Talking to, or about, a dog can be an easier way in for people who find words hard.

Children & Teens

Reducing session-day nerves and helping young people build trust with their clinician.

Low Mood

Warmth, play and connection that can lift mood and bring some lightness into the room.

Emotional Regulation

Practising calming skills alongside the dogs, then taking them into everyday life.

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Our Approach

Therapy first, with a little help from two very good dogs.

Animal-assisted therapy is part of your regular session with a qualified clinician. Marley and Bruce join when it suits you and your goals, and your clinician guides how they are involved. If you would rather a session without the dogs, just let us know.

Animal-Assisted Therapy Trauma-Informed Care Children, Teens & Adults Emotional Regulation Evidence-Based Therapy

Who You Will See

Meet the team

Two highly experienced clinicians, and the two dogs who join them.

Sandra Ifrah

Director / Principal Psychologist

Director and Principal clinician at the Family and Trauma Centre, with over 20 years' experience as a registered psychologist. Sandra specialises in complex and generational trauma, family violence and family law matters, and is an experienced speaker, presenter and supervisor.

Lital Fee

Psychotherapist / Family Therapist

A qualified counsellor with extensive experience supporting families, children, and adults affected by trauma, family violence, depression, and anxiety. Works from a client-centred, strengths-based approach drawing on CBT, solution-focused, mindfulness, and narrative therapy.

Marley & Bruce

Therapy Dogs

Our gentle-hearted therapy dogs, ready to bring comfort, support, and joy. Their calming presence helps reduce stress and anxiety, lift mood, and foster connection and wellbeing for clients and staff alike.

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AHPRA registered

Qualified, experienced clinicians.

Therapy dogs

Marley & Bruce on site.

Evening times

Appointments until 8pm weekdays.

Trauma-informed

Safe for sensitive histories.

Completely confidential

What you say stays in the room.

Common Questions

Animal-assisted therapy FAQs

What is animal-assisted therapy?

It is regular therapy with a qualified clinician, with a therapy dog present in the room. The dog's calming presence supports the work you are doing with your clinician.

Does it cost extra?

Sessions are charged as standard therapy sessions with your clinician. Medicare rebates apply in the usual way with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.

Who can see the dogs?

Animal-assisted therapy is available for children, adolescents and adults seeing Sandra or Lital. Let us know when you book that you would like the dogs involved.

What if I'm allergic or nervous around dogs?

That's completely fine. The dogs only join when you want them to, and you can have your sessions without them. Please mention any allergies when you book.

What happens in a session with the dogs?

The session runs like any other therapy session. The dogs may sit nearby, rest beside you or be part of an activity, depending on what helps you most. Your clinician guides how they are involved.