Animal-Assisted Therapy with Skyla at Lakeside Rooms
Meet Skyla, a calm and gentle Staffy who helps to reduce stress and lower anxiety for clients at Lakeside Rooms
Therapy at Lakeside Rooms is about creating a space where people can feel calm and supported. For many clients that first step into therapy can feel daunting, especially those who are navigating stress, trauma, or emotional difficulties. That’s where Skyla and Matt come in.
Skyla has been carefully trained to support therapy sessions in a calm and grounded way.
Skyla works alongside Matt to help clients regulate their emotions, engage in mindfulness, and feel more at ease when processing difficult experiences. Skyla’s involvement aligns with research that highlights the benefits of integrating animals into therapeutic work. Studies have shown that human-animal interaction can reduce physiological stress markers, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol, while increasing oxytocin, the hormone associated with trust and bonding (Beetz et al., 2012). These neurobiological effects can foster a state of safety and openness, allowing clients to engage more deeply in therapy (Brandão et al., 2025).
Matt’s therapeutic approach integrates Skyla into the broader biopsychosocial framework, acknowledging the interconnectedness of mind, body, and environment in healing. His practice is grounded in evidence-based models such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed interventions and mindfulness-based interventions. Skyla’s presence complements these approaches by enhancing emotional regulation and supporting the therapeutic alliance, which is the foundation that research consistently identifies as a key predictor of positive therapy outcomes. For clients who struggle to express emotions verbally, Skyla’s calm companionship can serve as a bridge to communication and trust, helping them feel more comfortable sharing their experiences.
Animal-Assisted Therapy with Skyla can be beneficial for individuals experiencing any kind of mental health condition or emotional difficulty. Whether someone is managing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, chronic stress, or simply feeling disconnected from themselves or others, Skyla’s presence can make therapy feel more approachable and human. Many clients find that having her in the room helps ease tension and reduce self-consciousness, allowing them to open up at their own pace. Her calm energy supports grounding and mindfulness, which can be particularly helpful for those experiencing heightened stress, racing thoughts, or emotional overwhelm. For some, Skyla becomes a symbol of comfort and safety, a reminder that they are not alone in their journey, and that healing can happen in small, steady moments of connection.
For adults, Skyla offers a sense of grounding during emotionally charged discussions, helping to regulate the body’s stress response and promote calm. For adolescents, she fosters engagement, trust, and a sense of safety, especially for those who might find traditional talk-based therapy intimidating. And for children, Skyla helps make therapy feel playful and non-threatening, transforming the space into one of curiosity and comfort rather than pressure or formality. Her quiet presence allows people of all ages to feel seen, accepted, and supported just as they are, something that can be profoundly healing in itself.
Matt and Skyla’s partnership reflects a shared philosophy that therapy should feel human, relatable, and grounded in connection. Matt describes Skyla as a “calming presence,” one that helps clients slow down, breathe, and settle into the moment. She is particularly helpful during mindfulness or grounding exercises, where clients can focus on her breathing or the warmth of her fur as a sensory anchor. For clients exploring trauma or emotional pain, this connection can help to regulate the body’s stress response, allowing them to remain present without becoming overwhelmed.
Beyond her work in the therapy room, Skyla is a vibrant, playful soul who loves long walks, swimming in the ocean, and playing with her doggie friends. She has a particular fondness for puppy chinos, often a reward after a big day of working or training. Skyla reminds clients (and Matt) of the importance of balance, that well-being is not only about managing symptoms but also about connection, play, and simple moments of being present.
Clients frequently comment on how her presence makes it easier to settle into sessions, especially during times of emotional vulnerability. Together, Matt and Skyla strive to make therapy a space where clients feel safe enough to explore, supported enough to grow, and connected enough to heal.
Read More and View Evidence Here:
Arsovski, D. (2024). The Role of Animal Assisted Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review. Perspectives on Integrative Medicine, 3(3), 142–151. https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2024.10.003
Brandão, C., Sampaio, M., Sousa-Gomes, V., Fávero, M., & Moreira, D. (2025). Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Anxiety Reduction in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14010287
Pandey, R. P., Himanshu, Mukherjee, R., & Chang, C.-M. (2024). The Role of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Enhancing Patients’ Well-Being: Systematic Study of the Qualitative and Quantitative Evidence. JMIRx Med, 5, e51787. https://doi.org/10.2196/51787
Sim, S. Q., Liu, Z., Wu, Z., Wang, S., & Nisa, C. (2025). Canine-assisted therapy in reducing stress and anxiety levels of university students: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 25(1), 303. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04955-2
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