Pets Don't Pretend: Visible Nervous System Changes with Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP)
One of the things I love most about the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is that it isn’t just for humans—it can support our beloved animal companions, too. I’ve seen this with my own dogs and cats, as well as the pets of my clients.
My dog Amy is four years old and has always been an anxious, sound‑sensitive soul. As a tiny puppy, she was afraid of her own littermates.
We’ve done several rounds of SSP together, and just like with people, each animal responds differently—sometimes the changes are subtle, and sometimes they’re dramatic. SSP is virtually always beneficial to repeat over time; in Amy’s case, persistence has paid off.
The round we just completed last week brought the most remarkable shift yet. The change I had been hoping for - the ability to stay relaxed in the face of everyday life, leading to a reduction of barking - finally arrived and continues to deepen.
In the short video below, you’ll see Amy calmly watching while a contractor works only a few feet away. Tools clanging, footsteps, a total stranger in her space… and she remained completely at ease. For a dog who used to startle and alert at the slightest sound, this was a true “This is why I love SSP!” moment.
It isn't just about the absence of barking - it is also that she could look away and move away from the scene. A moment later she was napping beside me, even though the contractor was still working away. This kind of response is completely unprecedented for Amy. She was curious but felt safe enough to shift her focus and to relax.
Animals are exquisitely sensitive to sound and to the nervous systems around them. SSP can help them settle into a deeper sense of safety, ease, and regulation. Amy now moves through daily life with more affection, more playfulness, and far less tension in her body. She can rest calmly, even when life gets noisy or unpredictable.
Why SSP Can Be Transformative
SSP (and the new Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP)) gently supports the nervous system in moving out of chronic states of defense and into a state where connection and regulation are easier.
While the effects for every individual—human or animal—are unique, some of the improvements that often begin to appear 2–7 weeks after completing SSP Core can include:
- Reduced anxiety and social anxiety
- More flexibility in facial expression and body movement
- Greater ability to stay calm in busy or noisy environments
- Decreased fears, phobias, and startle responses
- Improved digestion and overall physical comfort
- Increased affection-seeking and playful engagement
- Better self-awareness and emotional expression
- Easier transitions and smoother participation in daily life
In humans, we often also see improvements in communication, processing speed, organization, and even voice quality or breathing patterns. I’ve worked with clients who experience everything from less chronic pain to an improved sense of humor as their nervous systems shift out of survival mode.
Pets Are Always Welcome in My Work
Because I know how much our animals can benefit from feeling safer and more regulated, I include guidance on supporting your pet’s SSP or RRP process at no additional charge whenever I work with human clients. I’ll teach you what to watch for and how to create a safe, soothing environment that helps your dog or cat (or even your chickens!) experience the benefits alongside you.
SSP is about creating islands of safety—for ourselves, our families, and the animals who share our lives. Watching my own dog’s newfound calm while the world clatters around her is one of the sweetest reminders of just how powerful that safety can be.
Are you interested in reading more posts about SSP with dogs? My first one can be found here, there are many more after that, if you scroll up.
Are you a provider who is curious about facilitating SSP or RRP with pets? Stay tuned as I am working on an SSP with Pets ecourse that I hope to have available by late fall 2025.
In the meantime, I am available for SSP or RRP consultation. I have group and individual consultation options available. You can see my full range of products and services for providers, here.