AaTs: Animal-Assisted Therapy Services in Milford, CT

AaTs Introduce

For residents across Connecticut, understanding the diverse range of services available for their well-being is incredibly important. While traditional veterinary clinics focus on the physical health of our animal companions, there's a unique and increasingly recognized field that harnesses the therapeutic power of animals to support human health: Animal-Assisted Therapy. This article introduces you to AaTs, or Animal-Assisted Therapy Services, a distinguished non-profit organization located right here in Milford, CT. AaTs offers specialized animal-assisted interventions designed to help individuals of all ages navigate a variety of physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges.

Unlike conventional veterinary care that treats animals, AaTs utilizes trained therapy animals in structured, goal-directed activities to foster healing and growth in people. This innovative approach recognizes the profound human-animal bond and leverages it to enhance well-being and restore balance in clients' lives. For those in Connecticut seeking alternative or complementary therapeutic support, or simply curious about the benefits of animal interaction in a professional setting, AaTs provides a compassionate and effective solution. We will delve into what makes AaTs a remarkable resource for the local community, from its accessible location to the unique services it provides.

AaTs is conveniently located at 4 Oxford Rd, Milford, CT 06460, USA. This address places it within easy reach for individuals and families residing in Milford and the surrounding communities across Connecticut. Milford's central location in the state, with excellent access to I-95, makes it a practical destination for those traveling from various parts of New Haven County and beyond. Specifically, the facility can be easily accessed from I-95 by taking exit 41, Marsh Hill Road, then heading east on Oxford Road over the Metro North tracks, and finally turning left into Marsh Hill Business Park. AaTs is situated in the "Women's Wellness" building, the first building on your left within the park. This straightforward navigation ensures that clients can arrive for their sessions with minimal stress, a crucial factor when engaging in therapeutic activities. The accessibility of AaTs is a significant advantage, allowing a wider range of individuals to benefit from their unique and impactful services.

AaTs, or Animal-Assisted Therapy Services, specializes in providing Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) tailored to the unique needs of each client. Their approach is goal-directed and documented, ensuring that the use of animals serves specific therapeutic outcomes for individuals facing physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities.

Personalized Animal-Assisted Therapy for Private Clients: AaTs offers private sessions for both children and adults. These personalized services focus on building strong therapeutic relationships between clients and therapy animals, aiming to achieve specific developmental, emotional, or physical goals. The interventions are designed to be engaging and supportive, promoting healing and growth.
School and University Programs: AaTs extends its services to educational institutions, providing programs designed to connect and de-stress students with therapy animals. These sessions are particularly beneficial during high-stress periods like exam weeks, offering a unique form of support for student well-being and mental health.
Corporate Wellness Visits: Recognizing the benefits of animal interaction in professional settings, AaTs offers programs to enhance workplace wellness. Businesses in Connecticut can invite therapy animals to their premises, fostering a more relaxed and positive environment for employees, which can lead to increased morale and productivity.
Support for Individuals with Physical, Cognitive, or Psychosocial Disabilities: At its core, AaTs is dedicated to empowering individuals with various disabilities. Through the healing power of the human-animal bond, they provide opportunities for clients to experience therapeutic interventions that promote lifelong health and wellness.
Community Education and Information: Beyond direct therapy, AaTs strives to educate the wider community about the benefits and appropriate use of animal-assisted interventions. This includes raising awareness about the therapeutic efficacy of human-animal interactions.
Diverse Therapy Animals: AaTs incorporates a variety of animals into their therapeutic practice, including dogs, horses (through equine therapeutic interventions), and small animals. This diversity allows for a broader range of therapeutic experiences and caters to different client needs and preferences.

AaTs distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights that underscore its commitment to compassionate and effective animal-assisted therapy.

Compassionate Care: At the heart of AaTs is a deep commitment to compassionate care. The team understands the sensitive nature of the challenges their clients face and approaches every interaction with empathy and understanding, creating a safe and nurturing environment.
Experienced and Certified Team: The organization is led by founder Chris Patella, a certified professional dog trainer and PATH therapeutic riding instructor. Her daughter, Beth Patella, a Licensed Social Worker, co-directs the organization, bringing a strong background in mental health. This combination of animal training expertise and clinical social work ensures a professional and effective therapeutic approach. The team, along with their dedicated therapy animals, works collaboratively to foster healing and growth.
Flexible Scheduling: AaTs strives to accommodate the schedules of its clients, offering flexible appointment options to ensure that therapeutic interventions are accessible when needed.
Engaging Experiences: The therapeutic activities are designed to be highly engaging and interactive, making the process enjoyable and more effective for clients. This focus on positive interaction is key to leveraging the human-animal bond for therapeutic benefit.
Proven Benefits: AaTs operates on the understanding of the proven benefits of animal-assisted therapy. Their goal-directed and documented approach ensures that interventions are structured to achieve specific, measurable outcomes, demonstrating the efficacy of their programs.
Non-Profit Mission: Established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2010, AaTs is driven by its mission to empower individuals through the human-animal bond rather than by profit. This non-profit status reflects their genuine dedication to community well-being and accessibility.
Diverse Animal-Assisted Interventions: From canine therapy to equine and small animal interactions, AaTs offers a wide spectrum of animal-assisted interventions, allowing them to cater to diverse client needs and preferences.

For those in Connecticut interested in learning more about AaTs and their animal-assisted therapy services, or to inquire about scheduling a session, here is their contact information:

Address: 4 Oxford Rd, Milford, CT 06460, USA

Phone (Chris Patella, Director): (203) 804-5343

Mobile Phone (Chris Patella, Director): +1 203-804-5343

For general information or inquiries regarding client appointments, you may also reach out to Director Beth Patella:

Email: [email protected]

Phone (Beth Patella, Director): (203) 804-5396

You can also visit their official website for more information and to fill out a contact form.

For Connecticut residents seeking unique and effective therapeutic support, AaTs (Animal-Assisted Therapy Services) in Milford offers an invaluable resource. This non-profit organization stands out not as a traditional veterinary clinic for animals, but as a dedicated provider of animal-assisted interventions that significantly benefit human well-being. Its convenient Milford location makes it easily accessible from various parts of the state, ensuring that individuals can readily access their specialized services. The expertise of its founders, Chris and Beth Patella, combined with a compassionate approach and a diverse team of therapy animals, creates an environment conducive to healing and growth. From personalized therapy sessions for children and adults to stress-relief programs for schools and corporate wellness initiatives, AaTs harnesses the profound power of the human-animal bond to address a wide array of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. For those in Connecticut looking for a distinctive and empathetic path to improved health and wellness, AaTs represents a truly suitable and highly recommended local choice.