Pets
Thoughtfully paced nervous system support for individuals, families, and providers. Building safety, regulation, and connection through SSP, RRP, and other nervous-system-informed approaches.
Pets & the Nervous System
“Wait… why is there a page about pets on a therapist’s website?”
I get it. It does seem a little unexpected!
The simple answer is this:
Nervous systems don’t stop at humans.
One of the things I love most about my work is seeing how the same principles of regulation show up across species.
Whether I’m supporting a person through the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) or Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP), watching an anxious dog gradually relax, or observing a rescue cat become more social, I’m continually reminded that there is something wonderfully universal about nervous systems.
Over the years, my curiosity about this has only grown.
In fact, I suspect my clients sometimes think I get just as excited about their pets’ progress as I do about their own!
What animals have taught me
One of the things I love most about working with animals is that they don’t know they’re supposed to respond.
They don’t know what SSP or RRP even are.
They aren’t trying to please us.
They aren’t hoping for a particular outcome.
They’re simply being themselves.
That doesn’t mean every change we see is necessarily because of SSP or RRP. Just as with humans, we want to stay curious, observe carefully, and avoid jumping to conclusions.
But over the years, animals have reinforced many of the same lessons I see in my work with people:
Can Pets Do SSP or RRP?
People are often surprised to learn that both the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) and Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP) can also be used with animals.
Every pet is unique, and there are never guarantees about what changes may or may not occur.
Just as with humans, the goal isn’t to force change - it’s to create the conditions where the nervous system has an opportunity to move toward greater regulation.
People have explored SSP or RRP with pets experiencing things such as:
Including your pet
If you’re completing SSP or RRP with me, I’m always happy to help you include your pet if you’d like.
There is no additional charge for this.
Many clients tell me that including their pet becomes one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey.
After all, our pets are often some of our greatest sources of co-regulation.
Already working with another SSP or RRP provider?
You don’t need to be working with me to learn more about supporting pets.
My SSP - and RRP - with Pets webinar is available to both providers and to individuals and families who are completing SSP or RRP with another provider.
If your provider agrees that it’s appropriate and is willing to supervise the process, the webinar can be a valuable resource for helping you understand how SSP and RRP may be used with pets.
It covers topics including:
If you are a client currently doing SSP or RRP with me, there is no need for you to purchase the webinar. Please just let me know you'd like access and it will be provided for you at no charge as will supervision of your pet's process.
For providers, the webinar offers practical guidance that can help you feel more confident when clients ask, “Can my dog (or cat!) do SSP too?”
➡︎ Link to the SSP with Pets Webinar Recording
Why SSP and RRP with Pets is so Meaningful For Me
One of the unexpected gifts of working with animals has been how much they’ve deepened my understanding of people.
Watching nervous systems respond without language, expectations, or any desire to “do therapy correctly” continually reminds me of what really matters:
Safety.
Connection.
Curiosity.
Individual differences.
Gentle pacing.
Whether I’m working with a child, an adult, a dog, a cat, or even a horse, those principles remain remarkably consistent.
That sense of wonder is one of the reasons I continue learning, observing, and sharing what I’ve discovered.
If this topic fascinates you as much as it fascinates me, you might enjoy some of my blog posts about pets, nervous systems, and regulation.
These stories explore not only the responses I’ve observed in animals, but also what they’ve taught me about supporting humans through SSP and RRP.
Blog articles:
Have questions?
Whether you’re curious about including your own pet, wondering if the webinar is right for you, or you’re a provider wanting to feel more confident supporting clients and their animals, I’d love to hear from you.
Some of the most profound lessons I’ve learned about nervous systems haven’t come from textbooks.
They’ve come from a wagging tail, a gentle purr, or a wonderful snuggle that wasn't previously possible for that particular pet.
“Wait… why is there a page about pets on a therapist’s website?”
I get it. It does seem a little unexpected!
The simple answer is this:
Nervous systems don’t stop at humans.
One of the things I love most about my work is seeing how the same principles of regulation show up across species.
Whether I’m supporting a person through the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) or Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP), watching an anxious dog gradually relax, or observing a rescue cat become more social, I’m continually reminded that there is something wonderfully universal about nervous systems.
Over the years, my curiosity about this has only grown.
In fact, I suspect my clients sometimes think I get just as excited about their pets’ progress as I do about their own!
What animals have taught me
One of the things I love most about working with animals is that they don’t know they’re supposed to respond.
They don’t know what SSP or RRP even are.
They aren’t trying to please us.
They aren’t hoping for a particular outcome.
They’re simply being themselves.
That doesn’t mean every change we see is necessarily because of SSP or RRP. Just as with humans, we want to stay curious, observe carefully, and avoid jumping to conclusions.
But over the years, animals have reinforced many of the same lessons I see in my work with people:
- Every nervous system is unique.
- There is no single “correct” response.
- Less is often more.
- Going slowly frequently creates the smoothest experience.
- Different individuals benefit from different pacing.
- Repeating SSP may feel very different from the first time.
- Healing and regulation are rarely linear.
Can Pets Do SSP or RRP?
People are often surprised to learn that both the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) and Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP) can also be used with animals.
Every pet is unique, and there are never guarantees about what changes may or may not occur.
Just as with humans, the goal isn’t to force change - it’s to create the conditions where the nervous system has an opportunity to move toward greater regulation.
People have explored SSP or RRP with pets experiencing things such as:
- Anxiety
- Fearfulness
- Hypervigilance
- Separation distress
- Reactivity
- Difficulty settling
- Recovery after stressful experiences
- Supporting newly adopted animals
- Helping sensitive pets feel calmer and more regulated
Including your pet
If you’re completing SSP or RRP with me, I’m always happy to help you include your pet if you’d like.
There is no additional charge for this.
Many clients tell me that including their pet becomes one of the most enjoyable parts of the journey.
After all, our pets are often some of our greatest sources of co-regulation.
Already working with another SSP or RRP provider?
You don’t need to be working with me to learn more about supporting pets.
My SSP - and RRP - with Pets webinar is available to both providers and to individuals and families who are completing SSP or RRP with another provider.
If your provider agrees that it’s appropriate and is willing to supervise the process, the webinar can be a valuable resource for helping you understand how SSP and RRP may be used with pets.
It covers topics including:
- Which pets may be good candidates
- Safety and pacing
- Practical setup
- What to watch for
- Common responses
- Frequently asked questions
- Case examples and observations from my own experience
- Lessons animals have taught me that have also influenced how I support humans
If you are a client currently doing SSP or RRP with me, there is no need for you to purchase the webinar. Please just let me know you'd like access and it will be provided for you at no charge as will supervision of your pet's process.
For providers, the webinar offers practical guidance that can help you feel more confident when clients ask, “Can my dog (or cat!) do SSP too?”
➡︎ Link to the SSP with Pets Webinar Recording
Why SSP and RRP with Pets is so Meaningful For Me
One of the unexpected gifts of working with animals has been how much they’ve deepened my understanding of people.
Watching nervous systems respond without language, expectations, or any desire to “do therapy correctly” continually reminds me of what really matters:
Safety.
Connection.
Curiosity.
Individual differences.
Gentle pacing.
Whether I’m working with a child, an adult, a dog, a cat, or even a horse, those principles remain remarkably consistent.
That sense of wonder is one of the reasons I continue learning, observing, and sharing what I’ve discovered.
If this topic fascinates you as much as it fascinates me, you might enjoy some of my blog posts about pets, nervous systems, and regulation.
These stories explore not only the responses I’ve observed in animals, but also what they’ve taught me about supporting humans through SSP and RRP.
Blog articles:
- SSP with Dogs (where it all started...)
- Update on my Elderly Dog's Progress
- Maggie Continues to Improve with SSP
- Jasper's SSP Process - Every Nervous System is Different
- Jasper's SSP Update
- Beginning SSP with Amy, My 5 Month Old Puppy
- SSP Success!! Though Jasper Steals the Show...Benefits of Repeating SSP
- Pets Don't Pretend: Visible Changes with SSP
- RRP with Amy - Sometimes Progress is Sideways
Have questions?
Whether you’re curious about including your own pet, wondering if the webinar is right for you, or you’re a provider wanting to feel more confident supporting clients and their animals, I’d love to hear from you.
Some of the most profound lessons I’ve learned about nervous systems haven’t come from textbooks.
They’ve come from a wagging tail, a gentle purr, or a wonderful snuggle that wasn't previously possible for that particular pet.
