Darcy is a friendly, male, tri-colour Border Collie. He is a trained and certified Therapy Dog, and an integral member of the Bellarine Psychology team! Darcy works with Naomi Adams, Psychologist and Animal Assisted Therapist.
However, he enjoys popping in on our other therapists for cuddles and has occasionally supported their work (with Naomi s guidance). Darcy also enjoys greeting his clients (hence the Welcome Ambassador title), but he is always supervised in shared spaces.
While many of Naomi s clients are actively engaging in structured Animal Assisted Therapy interventions, some just enjoy having him in the room during sessions. However, clients can choose not to have Darcy in the room , on these occasions he takes a break.
Darcy is not only Naomi s fluffy co-therapist, he is also her companion dog (pet). He was rescued in 2022 (at age 9) after spending most of his life as a breeding dog in a puppy farm. So, Mr Darcy is becoming an older gentleman, but you wouldn t always know it!
Border Collies are known for their energy and their intelligence. Darcy still loves to run, especially chasing tennis balls. His mind is still eager to learn new things, and he loves to please people and make them happy. Darcy is also very happy to just relax ,a benefit of him entering his senior years.
Darcy is a happy boy who loves being with people. He is responsive to clients emotions and behaviours, and his interactions with them are guided by their needs and goals, and the associated activities or roles that form the treatment plans. These plans may include dog training and other interactive activities using observation and modelling, and association via discussion about Darcys experiences and behaviours; or providing clients with comfort (as an attachment figure, or a mindfulness/grounding tool), snuggling in and giving and receiving touch, while clients work through difficult emotions.
This range of qualities and traits make Darcy a wonderful, versatile Therapy Dog!
Therapy Dogs working with therapists in professional settings are a team. They have worked together to pass specific standards for certification (including assessing canine temperament, the human-canine bond, and obedience training). Animal Assisted Therapists should have also studied/undertaken training in the underpinning theories and application of this model.
Naomi s Professional Insurance covers the provision of Animal Assisted Therapy as a therapeutic modality, and also covers working Therapy Dogs. Naomi adheres to the Occupational Health and Safety protocols she developed specifically for Animal Assisted Therapy with canines in clinical practice.
If you would like to know more about Animal Assisted Therapy or would like to work with Darcy (and Naomi!) please dont hesitate to contact us
Again, if you are seeing Naomi for therapy and you would prefer NOT to have Darcy in the room, thats totally fine. He can take a break.