WHO'S the Therapist Here?

 I am a psychologist. I have 2 dachshunds who come to the office with me everyday and sit in on nearly every session. They are excellent at maintaining client confidentiality and soothing upset or sad clients.

Scapa is 6yo black and tan male. Lila is 5yo chocolate and tan female. They are standards but more like tweens than miniatures. They are very affectionate and intuitive and great comforters for people who are upset or angry.
Sometimes my clients and I take them for a walk as part of the session.
Some of my clients really come to see my dogs NOT me!

My dogs have been regular visitors at one nursing home to visit my 100 yo grandmother. Both of them sit on her lap or sometimes she shares one with a friend sitting next to her. On request from the staff they go to the dementia section.
The people love them. It’s soooo rewarding to see them relax and smile and pat and cuddle the dogs.

Another interesting situation is how my dachshunds play with my nephew 6 years old. With Scap, my nephew chases him for possession of a toy. However with Lila, she chases my nephew and adapted her style to encourage him to keep playing. Both dogs will both automatically protect him from any perceived threat, like another person playing with him too roughly. My dachshunds weren't taught to do any of this - they just did it. While my nephew is part of their pack, they love to meet and play with other children too!