Zumi is part of an Animal Assisted Therapy team alongside Keira Gill, a Mental Health Occupational Therapist, based at M1 Psychology in Loganholme.
A 5 year old Japanese Spitz, Zumi is a very beautiful and fluffy white dog. Zumi has a way of helping most people feel comfortable and at ease with his gentle and calming energy; he loves to greet you in the waiting room, and receiving pats and giving snuggles during sessions.
Zumi lives with Keira as well as his human dad, human brother and sister, plus his dog brother – Jack. He loves to go for walks and play “chase Jack whilst Jack plays fetch” (he’s never quite figured out the fetch and return game!).
Zumi also loves to swim, although because he is so fluffy he tends to soak water up like a sponge and regularly needs his family to give him support to avoid sinking during long swims! He’s also a big fan of cuddles and pats – as you will no doubt discover first hand if you have a session with Keira and Zumi.
How Zumi interacts within sessions is up to the client. Keira and Zumi work as a team – sometimes Zumi will just be a calming presence within the therapy space, and at other times he will be highly involved in sessions.
Zumi can provide physical comfort, unconditional positive regard, take us for a walk to help with our body arousal, provide examples during psychoeducation, introduce playfulness to sessions and provide a distraction or means of mindfulness/relaxation.
Working within animal assisted therapy, the ways in which Zumi interacts and is involved within the session is really up to the collaborative creativity of the therapist and client!
To make an appointment with Zumi and Keira, try Online Booking. Alternatively, you can call M1 Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3067 9129.