Blue Heron Pet Assisted Therapy
We are available to provide pet therapy at nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. We visit individuals in their rooms, meet with groups in common areas, and support individual and group therapy sessions.
- Room visits: We visit individuals in their rooms or other settings where they are invited to interact with the Isabel or BigBob and share stories with Kate.
- Groups: We meet informally or formally with groups in common areas or group sessions, such as exercise or social groups.
- Therapy sessions: We work with individuals during their therapy sessions, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech/language/communication therapy.
We are also available to meet with individual students, small groups, and classes in K-12 schools and colleges. We are also available for wellness events, “de-stress” events before exams, and other types of drop-in events at colleges.
Why “Blue Heron”?
Kate decided to include “Blue Heron” in our name in honor of Frisby (pictured below), the first dog she adopted from an animal shelter. Frisby had the personality and traits to work with people in therapeutic settings. Though she was never formally trained or credentialed for Pet Assisted Therapy work, she is our role model for all we do. Frisby lived a long life, but in her last year, she battled a horrible disease called IMHA (immune mediated hemolytic anemia). A few days after Frisby died, Kate saw a great blue heron flying right overhead. She’d never seen one flying before, and she is sure it was a messenger sent by Frisby to check on Kate and to let Kate know she was at the Bridge, had met all the dogs from our family who went before her, and was doing fine. Since seeing the first great blue heron in flight, Kate has seen several more, and she is still sure it is Frisby checking in via the great blue heron. (Photo courtesy of NBNERR)
Blue Heron Pet Assisted Therapy 