In this heartfelt episode of The Good Spiral, cohosts Tanvi and Scottie dig into the world of Canine-Assisted Therapy (CAT)—a powerful, evidence-based intervention that’s reshaping how we think about healing. Scottie shares her lived experience navigating mental illness with her psychiatric service dog, Arthur, and breaks down what makes CAT different from Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), traditional therapy dogs, and Pet Therapy programs.

The episode explores the science behind CAT—including how interactions with dogs can boost oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin while reducing cortisol (Koukourikos et al., 2019)—and addresses systemic barriers like lack of insurance coverage and national training standards. The cohosts also spotlight the CAMH Pet Therapy Program, where certified volunteer dogs offer comfort and connection to patients.

Whether you're a mental health professional, a dog lover, or just spiral-curious, this episode will leave you with a deeper appreciation of the bond between humans and our four-legged therapists.

Referenced Resource: Koukourikos, K., Tsaloglidou, A., & Kourkouta, L. (2019). The importance of therapy dogs in mental health. Materia Socio Medica, 31(4), 308–310. https://doi.org/10.5455/msm.2019.31.308-310 

Featured Program: CAMH Pet Therapy Program Volunteers go through CAMH’s onboarding, and dogs are certified in a four-hour external evaluation. Approved dogs receive a CAMH ID badge, lanyard, and bandana and commit to one year of weekly visits. 📧 Contact: Theresa.Conforti@camh.ca 📞 Phone: (416) 535-8501 ext. 32995