What does a session with Rolo look like? ❤️

Rolo here, with my regular woof in! I work with Heidi in Animal Assisted Play Therapy®. We go into schools to support some of their vulnerable children and young people - it could be anything from anxiety about peers to difficulties concentrating in school to worries in the home, or perhaps just feeling misunderstood. We're here to give children and young people a space to explore whatever is on their mind - and we do it playfully, so there's no pressure!

I thought I’d share a bit about what a session can look like. We usually come in the early afternoon, because mornings are for my walks and a bit of a snooze afterwards! By early afternoon I’m ready for work.

Heidi and I tend to meet with one child at a time though we can also work with a small group of children. I’m quite nosy so will have a good sniff around first but Heidi will keep me on my lead until the child is comfortable around me- that usually happens very quickly! We’ll often start with a scenting activity, followed by the 3 spots exercise! The 3 spots is where the child gets to stroke me, with Heidi’s help, and they can find out whether it’s my back or ears I like having stroked the most! I’m extremely gentle.

Then we’ll usually get into an activity. I like playing ‘pack the suitcase’ with some children; they showed kindness towards me because they let me choose what I wanted to take away with me - I chose my fluffy football! ⚽

All of this is thirsty work, so the child gets to fill up my water bowl in session, too!🍵

I'll be sharing more with you in the next blog, but if you'd like to work with Heidi and me and want more details about Animal Assisted Play Therapy please download our information sheet and get in touch.

Woof woof!

If you are interested in having Rolo and Heidi suppporting children in your Oxfordshire school please get in touch info@clear-sky.org.uk