Counselling in Exeter
with Canine Assisted Therapy
& Merlin
Working with a therapy dog in the room isn’t for everyone. But for some people, it makes a real difference.
About Merlin
Merlin is a calm, well-trained Labrador who’s simply there during in-person sessions in Exeter. He doesn’t perform or do anything on cue, other than the usual dog commands.
Most of the time, he’s just quietly present. And sometimes he snores. Loudly. It's not personal...
He just changes how the space feels for the better.
Merlin is a registered Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog and has spent his life around people. He’s used to being in sessions and tends to settle quietly in the room.
He’s not the focus of the session - you are.
Counselling with a dog
If you feel on edge, unsure what to say, or find sitting face-to-face a bit intense, having a dog in the room can make things feel less pressured.
There’s no expectation to interact with him. But knowing he’s there often helps people feel a bit more settled, less self-conscious, and more able to be themselves.
If you're looking for counselling in Exeter or online more generally, you can find out more here.
Where Merlin can help...
It can be particularly helpful to have him around, for a number of reasons:
He helps you feel at ease
If you’re not sure what to say, or find it hard to start, having something else in the room can make it feel less intense and less 'clinical'.
He's another focus
Sitting face-to-face can feel a lot. A dog in the room can soften that and make it feel less pressured. He gives you something else to focus on, so you might feel you can talk more naturally.
He helps you settle
Some people find they relax faster with a dog nearby. It can help you get into the session without feeling as on edge.
Merlin works with clients of all ages in my office in
Exeter City Centre (EX4) here.
A bit about my training
I’ve completed a Diploma in Animal Assisted Therapy (UK), alongside my wider counselling training. Merlin and I work together in a way that’s calm, ethical, and always centred around what works best for you.
Interested, but not sure? If you’re curious about working with Merlin, we can talk it through on a free 15–20 minute call and you can decide if it feels right for you.