Meet Luna

Ask Me About Luna

What exactly does a therapy dog do during therapy?

Honestly, sometimes Luna does a whole lot of nothing, and that’s part of what makes her helpful. She may sit near you, sleep, ask for attention, or just exist in the room. Her presence can provide comfort, grounding, and something safe to focus on when a conversation gets difficult. She’s there to support the environment, not to perform on command or somehow “do therapy” for you.

Do I have to interact with Luna?

Absolutely not. Luna is part of my office, but your therapy is your space. You never have to pet her, sit near her, or involve her in your session. If you’d rather have some distance from her, tell me. I won’t be offended. Luna probably won’t be either.

What if I’m afraid of dogs or don’t like dogs?

Tell me. Seriously. You don’t have to pretend you’re comfortable because she’s my dog. Your comfort and sense of safety come first, and we’ll talk about what you need before your session.

What if I have allergies?

Please let me know before your first in-person appointment. Luna is a dog, so unfortunately her therapist credentials do not make her hypoallergenic. 😂 We can talk about your allergy and whether in-person therapy with Luna in the environment is appropriate for you or whether virtual therapy makes more sense.

Can Luna tell when I’m upset?

Sometimes she may respond differently when someone is emotional, and sometimes she’ll remain completely committed to her nap. She’s still a dog. I don’t want to turn normal dog behavior into something magical or pretend she knows exactly what you’re feeling. What matters is that some people find having her nearby comforting when they’re having a difficult moment.

Can I pet Luna while we’re talking?

Of course, if Luna is comfortable with it too. Sometimes having something physical and predictable to focus on, like petting a dog, can make it easier to stay present while we’re talking about something difficult.

What if I end up talking to Luna instead of you?

Wouldn’t be the first time a therapy dog got the first draft. 😂 If looking at Luna makes it easier to say something difficult, talk to Luna. I’m still listening. You don’t owe me eye contact for therapy to count.

Is everything I say in front of Luna confidential?

Luna has an impeccable record of maintaining confidentiality. She has never repeated a single thing a client has told her. 😂

More seriously, the same confidentiality rules apply to your therapy session whether Luna is sleeping beside us or not.

What if Luna distracts me during therapy?

Then we’ll address it. Sometimes the distraction is welcome and gives someone a needed break during a heavy conversation. Other times you may need less distraction. Luna’s presence should support your therapy, not interfere with it.

Is Luna my therapist too?

No. 😂 I’m your therapist. Luna is Luna. She can offer comfort, companionship, grounding, and occasionally comic relief, but she doesn’t replace the clinical work we’re doing together.

Why have a therapy dog in the office at all?

Because therapy can be intimidating. You’re walking into a room with someone you don’t know and potentially talking about things you’ve spent years trying not to talk about. For some people, having a calm dog nearby makes that room feel a little less clinical, a little safer, and a lot more human. That’s exactly the kind of environment I want to create.

What if I get attached to Luna?

You probably wouldn’t be the first. She’s pretty lovable. Relationships with animals can be meaningful, and I’m not going to pretend that bond doesn’t matter simply because she’s part of a therapy office. We can even talk about what that connection means to you if it becomes important.