Meet Rafi, Embark’s therapy dog in training! She is training to become a registered therapy dog and will work with Teresa Paterson, LPC, LCPC, RPT-S™ in all our locations, by appointment only with one of our providers trained as a therapy dog handler. Rafi is a Registered F1b Goldendoodle female. She is hypoallergenic, meaning she does not cause problems for most individuals who suffer from allergies. Rafi’s natural personality is loveable, full of energy, joy, curious, confident, sweetness and cares about her people. She is attentive to her people and loves to hug.  Her favorite skill is “ask”, where she is asking permission to connect with you!

Rafi is a type of service dog in training to meet the specific needs of multiple people in an intimate setting.

It is important that trained therapy dogs undergo basic obedience training to master commands, and learn how to manage excitability and annoying behaviors that could be harmful to others, such as jumping, barking, biting and excessive licking. However, all of these behaviors have a purposeful function, it is important that the dog responds to the handler to maintain control and obedience during the therapy session. While a Therapy Dog in training, Rafi continues to work on “Good Greet” instead of jumping, and “Good Quiet” instead of barking.  She is so smart, and these skills should be mastered shortly! As of right now, she is becoming familiar with all of our offices and being introduced when staff are present. She is not quite ready for therapy sessions, but we anticipate that will happen in May or June of 2024, with full accessibility around September of 2024.

Rafi is currently in Good Canine Citizen training, and completing the requirements to become a Registered Therapy Dog.  For now, she is considered a Therapy Dog in Training, and can function as a Therapy Dog, although she may need to take breaks to manage overstimulation or to correct behaviors that are not conducive to the therapeutic relationship.

Rafi will be able to work in all of the offices, and Teresa will be training other therapists to be handlers so that Rafi may join in other therapy sessions. Although she will be available, her schedule at each location may fluctuate from time to time. If you would like her to be a part of your sessions, please let your counselor know!

The ACA (American Counseling Association) endorses Animal Assisted Therapy

Learn more below about the benefits of using therapy dogs and animal assisted therapy.

• Animal Assisted Therapy