Services

Animal-Assisted Therapy in Northwest Arkansas

We Provide Animal-Assisted Therapy

Some people find it easier to open up when a dog is quietly resting beside them. That is the idea behind animal-assisted therapy (AAT): Your licensed therapist leads every session, and a trained therapy dog offers extra comfort, motivation, and connection along the way.

At PCA NWA, animal-assisted therapy is available as an optional part of treatment for children, teens, and adults across Fayetteville, Rogers, and Northwest Arkansas. Sessions are led by Steffanie Naples, LCSW, working alongside Dusty, our AAAIP-certified therapy dog.

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What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed treatment approach in which a trained therapy animal is incorporated into a session by a licensed clinician, per the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP). Unlike a casual visit from a pet, AAT is planned around your treatment goals and directed by your therapist from start to finish.

This is different from animal-assisted activities, which are more informal, recreational visits without a structured treatment plan attached, as Pet Partners explains in its guide to animal-assisted intervention terminology.

At PCA NWA, animal-assisted therapy is not a stand-alone service. It is an optional addition inside individual, child, or family therapy sessions with Steffanie Naples, LCSW, used only when it fits your (or your child’s) treatment goals.

Meet Dusty, Our Certified Therapy Dog

Dusty is a two-year-old Great Pyrenees and Labrador Retriever mix. He was rescued from a local animal shelter in December 2025, and while his early history is unknown, it is suspected he experienced some form of neglect before he was adopted. With patience and care, he has grown into a calm, resilient, and gentle companion who enjoys helping people of all ages feel supported during therapy sessions.

Dusty has completed specialized training in advanced obedience and environmental desensitization, and he is a certified therapy dog through the AAAIP. His observant nature and gentle disposition make him a calming presence, whether he is resting quietly nearby, offering comfort, or taking part in a therapeutic activity.

During a Session, You Might Notice Dusty:

  • Resting quietly nearby
  • Asking for gentle pets
  • Responding to your emotions in the room
  • Joining mindfulness, relaxation, or grounding exercises
  • Taking part in games or creative, play-based activities
  • Supporting practice of communication, confidence, or problem-solving skills
  • Simply helping create a calm, welcoming environment.

Just like any member of our care team, Dusty has good days and off days. His handler watches his body language closely throughout every session, and he takes a break, a drink of water, or some quiet time whenever he needs one.

How Therapy Dog Sessions Can Support Treatment

Human-animal interaction has been studied as a complement to traditional talk therapy, and research summarized by the American Psychological Association has associated it with measurable changes in stress response for some clients. Results vary by person, and animal-assisted therapy is always used alongside, not in place of, care from a licensed clinician.

Depending on your goals, a therapy dog session with Dusty may support:

  • Emotional regulation and coping skills practice
  • Feelings identification
  • Mindfulness and grounding exercises
  • Communication and social skills practice
  • Confidence-building activities
  • A calmer, safer therapeutic environment for difficult conversations

Who Animal-Assisted Therapy May Help

Animal-assisted therapy is offered as an option within several of our treatment areas, including:

Whether animal-assisted therapy fits your treatment plan is a clinical decision made with your therapist. See our full list of services for other ways our team supports mental health across Northwest Arkansas.

What to Expect

  1. Meet Steffanie and Dusty: During your initial intake appointment, you (or your child) will have the chance to meet Steffanie Naples, LCSW, and Dusty, ask questions, and experience his calm presence firsthand.
  2. Participation Is Always Voluntary: Parents and guardians consent to animal-assisted therapy as part of a treatment plan, but participation stays voluntary at every visit. You, or your child, can ask Dusty to join a session, or ask him to leave the room, at any time and without explanation.
  3. Sessions Built Around Your Goals: Depending on what supports your treatment plan that day, a session might include reading to Dusty, practicing coping skills, working on feelings identification, mindfulness exercises, social skills practice, or simple companionship.

Why Choose PCA NWA for Animal-Assisted Therapy

  • An AAAIP-certified therapy dog trained in advanced obedience and environmental desensitization
  • Sessions led by a licensed clinician, not an informal pet visit
  • Participation that is always voluntary, decided session by session
  • In-person availability at our Rogers location
  • A calm, welcoming space designed to help you feel supported, not rushed

Serving Fayetteville, Rogers & NWA

We offer animal-assisted therapy for clients throughout Northwest Arkansas, including:

  • Fayetteville
  • Rogers
  • Bentonville
  • Springdale
  • Cave Springs
  • Little Flock
  • Prairie Creek
  • Lowell
  • Tontitown & nearby towns
Learn More About Us

REAL PATIENTS

Scott E.
Dawn Martin is an amazing and patient therapist. She agreed to accept me as her patient and allow my then wife to join a few sessions to work on communications. My now ex-wife was so disrespectful not only to me, but to Dawn that she had to ban my ex-wife from the building but agreed to keep seeing me. I was in an emotionally, mentally, verbally and physically abusive marriage (yes, women do those things too), and the only one who ever witnessed and believes that part of my ex-wife is Dawn. She has been so supportive throughout this entire ordeal and helped me realize that I’m not actually in the twilight zone.
Dominique C.
I love this place, love the people, and will continue to come here for years to come.
Krystal U.
I am a patient of Dr. Chapman and highly recommend her for medication services. She has given me excellent care and has helped my mental health tremendously with her expertise. I am so thankful to meet with her and have her guidance on treatment! She is very personable and thorough, I feel that I am in very good hands with her.
Astrid L.
I've been seeing Kathy Jordan for years and she has been an amazing therapist to say the least. I can confidently say her treatment has altered thr course of my life for the better!
Chelsea L.N.
I have been seeing Dr. Chapman forever and I just think she is very competent and knowledgeable about her practice. I have also seen a few therapists in the office. Matt at the Rogers location was incredible, but then I tried to switch to a woman - I don’t remember her name, and she said one of the most offensive and upsetting things she could have possibly said. I’m still giving this place 5 stars though because I do really like Dr. Chapman. She always tries hard to get me the right medications despite my insurance being a huge pain. And because my former therapist Matt was one of the best therapists I’ve had.
Hailey B.
I’ve been going here for about 5 years, and it’s been a tremendous hand in helping me navigate my life mentally. Knowledgeable staff and comforting environment

Animal-Assisted Therapy FAQs

It depends on your child’s individual needs, preferences, and treatment goals. Steffanie Naples, LCSW, will talk through whether it’s a good fit during your intake appointment.

Animal-assisted therapy is entirely optional. Traditional talk therapy is always available, and Dusty never joins a session without consent at that visit. PCA NWA requires a separate consent form that you would be required to complete before AAT can begin.

Yes. Dusty is certified through the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) and has completed specialized training in advanced obedience and environmental desensitization.

Yes. We offer in-person animal-assisted therapy at our Rogers location and serve clients throughout Northwest Arkansas.
AAT is only available at our Rogers location.

You can request an appointment through our website, or review our new patient information to see what to expect, and our team will help guide you through the next steps.

Ready to Get Started?

If you think animal-assisted therapy could be a good fit for you or your child, Dusty and our team is here to help.

Schedule a session today

Credentials

PCA NWA mental health services - The American Psychological Association logo, featuring a blue and white symbol with horizontal lines next to the organization's name in black text, represents leadership in the field of psychology.
PCA NWA mental health services - AMA logo with text "American Medical Association" and a purple rod with a coiled snake, representing the Rod of Asclepius—an enduring symbol of medicine, healthcare, and fields like psychology.
PCA NWA mental health services - Logo of the Arkansas Psychological Association featuring "ArPA" in bold letters, with "arkansas psychological association" below, reflecting a commitment to psychology in Arkansas.
PCA NWA mental health services - Logo for the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies featuring stylized columns and text, reflecting the organization's commitment to psychology.
PCA NWA mental health services - Logo for the Academy for Eating Disorders featuring a purple square with abstract lines, reflecting the field of psychology, and the text "AED Academy for Eating Disorders" to the right.
PCA NWA mental health services - Logo for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, featuring a stylized human profile and blue swoosh graphic next to the organization name, reflecting its focus on sport psychology.
PCA NWA mental health services - Logo for APA Division 47, Society for Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology, featuring a stylized figure running with gears above its head to symbolize the connection between psychology and athletic performance.
PCA NWA mental health services - American Counseling Association logo with a teal and navy circular design, symbolizing psychology, to the left of the organization's name in blue text.
PCA NWA mental health services - AASECT logo with overlapping purple and orange circles, featuring text that reads "aasect: American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists," highlighting an essential organization in the field of sexuality education and psychology.
PCA NWA mental health services - Aerial view of a neatly trimmed hedge maze with winding green paths and gravel walkways, resembling a puzzle inspired by psychology and the complexities of the human mind.

Our Specialties

PCA NWA mental health services - Two women sit facing each other in an office. One takes notes on a clipboard, while the other gestures as she discusses EMDR Therapy. A laptop, globe, and plant are on a desk in the background.

ADHD/Learning Difficulties

PCA NWA mental health services - A woman sits at a bar with her hand resting on a glass of drink, looking down with a thoughtful expression in a softly lit room, as if reflecting on memories explored during EMDR Therapy.

Alcohol Use Disorder

PCA NWA mental health services - A woman sits barefoot on a windowsill with her knees up, gazing outside through a large window. She appears lost in thought, as if reflecting after an EMDR Therapy session. Lush trees are visible in the background.

Anxiety

PCA NWA mental health services - A pair of beige canvas shoes stands inside a black circle on a textured, sunlit surface, evoking the sense of grounding often explored in EMDR Therapy.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

PCA NWA mental health services - A man in a white shirt sits with his head in his hands, appearing stressed or frustrated, possibly contemplating EMDR Therapy for relief.

Bipolar Disorder

PCA NWA mental health services - A person in a lavender hoodie sits cross-legged on a bed, head down and hands covering their face, in a softly lit room, evoking the quiet introspection often experienced after EMDR Therapy.

Depression

PCA NWA mental health services - A woman with long blonde hair looks uncertainly at a plate of pasta while holding a fork, her expression hinting at the inner conflicts she’s working through in EMDR Therapy.

Eating Disorders

PCA NWA mental health services - A woman sitting at a desk in front of a laptop covers her face with both hands, appearing stressed or frustrated—she may benefit from EMDR Therapy to help cope with overwhelming emotions.

EMDR

PCA NWA mental health services - A young girl kisses an elderly woman holding a gift, while another woman smiles and holds a present. The warmth of the moment reflects the healing connections fostered in EMDR Therapy. A decorated Christmas tree is visible in the background.

Family Therapy

PCA NWA mental health services - A woman sits beside a man, offering comfort as he bows his head and holds her hand, appearing distressed—an intimate moment that captures the support often found during EMDR Therapy.

Grief and Loss

PCA NWA mental health services - A person sits at a desk with their hand on their forehead, eyes closed, surrounded by open books and papers, appearing stressed or tired while studying—feelings that EMDR Therapy may help address.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

PCA NWA mental health services - A woman with short red hair in a black dress stands against a gray wall, resting her head on her hand and appearing thoughtful or distressed, as if reflecting on her EMDR Therapy sessions.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

PCA NWA mental health services - Two people wearing hoodies embrace outdoors under a cloudy sky with power lines in the background, finding comfort much like the support offered by EMDR Therapy.

Sexual Health

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Marital Therapy

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