Mabel, The Therapy Dog

Mabel

Mabel is 2 years old and has been a therapy dog for a year. She is a blue Chow Chow, her lineage originates from China. She is very gentle-natured, soft and fluffy, loves all people, children and animals (squirrels, foxes and cats are her favourites!) and makes the perfect therapy dog.

Mabel has great character and even talks (well snorts!) She assists me in my work during therapy sessions, workshops, training and visits.

Therapy dogs are trained to be gentle and friendly and accept strangers hugging or petting them. They  are sometimes called "comfort dogs." They support a person's mental health by providing attention and comfort. Their sweet demeanour and unconditional love may have a therapeutic benefit to those who face difficult mental, physical and emotional challenges.

Mabel’s Adventures

Part of Mabel’s role as a therapy dog means she travels to various venues and institutions, including prisons, rehabs, and care homes. She loves to be stroked and fussed, so she is in her element when she is working.

Here she is meeting the Mayoress of Medway, Kent, this summer. She also regularly visits a Dementia Care Home in London, providing comfort, emotional support and hugs to the residents and their family members.

Mabel attends HMP Brixton on the London Pathways Unit to provide emotional support and therapeutic benefits. She behaves so well and loves all the attention! It’s nice to see the long-term residents be able to stroke and fuss her, as it’s been a long time since they have been able to. Of course, when you go to prison, you leave behind pets and loved ones so Mabel brings a little bit of joy to the wing. 

She also attends the London OPD Pathway which continues to work with offenders upon their release from prison.

Benefits of Therapy Dog Visits

The benefits of Therapy Dog visits range from improvement in general health and well-being, to increased confidence levels, mood and improved communication skills.

Some mental health challenges and psychiatric disorders are known to respond well to therapy dogs. Patients diagnosed with a range of issues, such as depression, bipolar disorder, autism, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Alzheimer's disease, benefit from their interaction with therapy dogs and other companion animals. Sometimes, emotional challenges are the result of physical health problems, and therapy dogs can help with those too. Interactions can increase the mood-boosting hormone oxytocin and decrease the stress hormone cortisol.

Booking a Session with Mabel

If you would like Mabel to come to your institution, or would like to arrange a therapy session where she is present, or arrange a walk-and-talk session in a London Park please get in touch via the contact page or book your session here.

Mabel even has her own Tik Tok page to capture her adventures so feel free to follow her. As you will see she is quite a character!