27 October 2026
Hello everyone,
Rolo here, woofing in as schools prepare to return after half term!
I work with Heidi in Animal Assisted Play Therapy®. We go into schools to support some of their vulnerable children and young people- it could be anything from anxiety about peers to difficulties concentrating in school to worries in the home, or perhaps just feeling misunderstood. We’re here to give children and young people a space to explore whatever is on their mind- and we do it playfully, so there’s no pressure!
It’s starting to get cold now but children can still take me for a walk as part of our session- if it’s drizzly we wear a coat, the weather doesn’t stop us!
On the way we sometimes collect things we find in nature….leaves, sticks, pine cones. We do this in a mindful way, so as not to deplete the natural resources around us.
Once back in school we often make collages with what we have found. It’s amazing how things we find in nature spark all sorts of conversations. Many children and young people who are going through difficulties respond really well when the focus is taken away from them. Going for a walk with Heidi and me shifts the focus, and often we see anxious children come back more relaxed.
On walks we can also build in training exercises. We usually practise those in school first, for example asking me to stop, sit or lie down. That way I know what is being asked of me once we are out there with other distractions! I think children can relate to me because I do get distracted, but Heidi and I work together on ways to get my focus back- always with kindness, and usually through things which hold my interest! A bit like working with children really. And children often feel a great sense of pride
when they have undertaken training with me. I’m always open to learning new tricks, so it’s always great fun, too!
If you know of a child who is struggling and you think they would benefit from working with Heidi and me, get in touch at: [email protected] for more information.
Woof woof!
21 October 2026
Hello everyone,
Rolo here, and this week’s woof in is on the theme of relationship-building!
Relationship is a key principle in Animal Assisted Play Therapy®. In fact, it forms the basis of everything Heidi and I do.
When we go into a school our aim is to build connections- especially with some of the most vulnerable children and young people. They might be struggling with peers, finding it difficult to concentrate, or they might be anxious about coming into school. We seek to understand them. We work at their pace, and in creative ways which build on the things which interest them. One child we worked with was especially interested in the solar system, so we created games around that!
The good thing is we don’t have any preconceived ideas. We don’t know what has gone before. So we come in fresh, and we work in the moment. We also respect the fact that some children may not wish to engage with us at all- at least at first!
Although I’m a very sociable dog, I do also need my own space. So sometimes I take myself off for a little while. Heidi says it’s a great metaphor for children who need a quiet moment here and there.
For us, relationship is about respecting each child’s individual needs, finding points of connection, and building up from there. And we have plenty of fun doing this because we don’t take ourselves too seriously! And it’s so rewarding when children join in, especially those who may have been reticent to start with.
I’ll be sharing more with you in the next blog, but if you’d like to work with Heidi and me, get in touch at: [email protected] for more information.
Woof woof!
14 October 2026
Hello there everyone,
Rolo here, with my regular woof in!
This week I’m starting to get that Halloween feeling and am looking forward to help choose some costumes! I work with Heidi in Animal Assisted Play Therapy® which is a lot of fun!
Heidi always makes sure that I am happy in sessions. She knows that I don’t like things on my head so I’m never asked to wear hats. But I’m happy to wear a doggy coat, including for Halloween!
Children also learn about some of the foods which can be dangerous to us dogs, especially the Halloween sweets! Children learn about the responsibilities that go with having a dog. There’s always so much to learn. Heidi also gets children to think independently, for example about the kinds of collars, harnesses and leads we dogs wear, and how children can learn to read a dog’s body language and understand whether a dog is comfortable. I think children end up being more empathic, not just to us dogs but to each other as well.
This is also the time when I’m thinking about Bonfire Night. Some of my dog friends get really bothered about that because the fireworks scare them. Luckily for me I don’t get too affected. Heidi and I often work with children who are overwhelmed by noise- and it doesn’t have to be Bonfire Night noise, it can be any kind of noise! We can work with them to reduce their stress and increase their tolerance level to some of the noise- for example through calm breathing techniques. We go through them together, in a way that is regulating and that brings comfort.
Heidi and I are here to give children and young people a space to explore whatever is on their mind. We usually work with one child at a time but can also work in small groups, usually in schools.
If you’d like to work with Heidi and me, get in touch at: [email protected] for more information. Woof woof!
28th September 2026
Hello there everyone,
Rolo here, just woofing in! Most people seem to know me now but for those who don’t, I work with Heidi in Animal Assisted Play Therapy®. We go into schools to support some of their vulnerable children and young people.
Today I’m going to shine a spotlight on anxiety. So how can Heidi and I work with anxiety? First of all, we meet the child or young person where they’re at. In Animal Assisted Play Therapy® no one has to participate unless they want to. When people are anxious they might not want to make eye contact, which is fine because we dogs can handle that.
Many children and young people instead enjoy stroking or even grooming my poodle coat. Research shows that stroking an animal releases oxytocin, which is a feel good chemical! It’s been shown that even just looking at an animal can have a similar effect, so this probably explains why children and young people who suffer with anxiety seem to enjoy having me in the room!
Sometimes I’ll do something silly which can really help break the ice. I also love a bit of training! Heidi and I find that anxious children often get into that surprisingly quickly. Maybe it’s because I don’t get it all right, so they get to show me how to do something properly. Heidi makes sure that I don’t get stressed because, like children and young people, I have to be comfortable with a task. So it can’t go on for too long! The children and young people always end up less anxious and gain all sorts of skills, as well as self-confidence, from training me. And I have fun, too, so it’s a win-win! Sometimes we even do presentations to others in school!
I’ll be sharing more with you in the next blog, but if you’d like to work with Heidi and me, get in touch at: [email protected] for more information. Woof woof!
21st September 2026
Hello there everyone,
Rolo here, with my regular woof in! I work with Heidi in Animal Assisted Play Therapy®.
We go into schools to support some of their vulnerable children and young people- it could be anything from anxiety about peers to difficulties concentrating in school to worries in the home, or perhaps just feeling misunderstood. We’re here to give children and young people a space to explore whatever is on their mind- and we do it playfully, so there’s no pressure!
I thought I’d share a bit about what a session can look like. We usually come in the early afternoon, because mornings are for my walks and a bit of a snooze afterwards! By early afternoon I’m ready for work.
Heidi and I tend to meet with one child at a time though we can also work with a small group of children. I’m quite nosy so will have a good sniff around first but Heidi will keep me on my lead until the child is comfortable around me- that usually happens very quickly! We’ll often start with a scenting activity, followed by the 3 spots exercise! The 3 spots is where the child gets to stroke me, with Heidi’s help, and they can find out whether it’s my back or ears I like having stroked the most! I’m extremely gentle.
Then we’ll usually get into an activity. Here I am playing ‘pack the suitcase’ with some children; they showed kindness towards me because they let me choose what I wanted to take away with me- I chose my fluffy football!
All of this is thirsty work, so the child gets to fill up my water bowl in session, too!
I’ll be sharing more with you in the next blog, but if you’d like to work with Heidi and me, get in touch at: [email protected] for more information. Woof woof!
14th September 2026
Hello there everyone!
It’s me, Rolo…..just woofing in to see how it’s all going now that schools are back!
I work with Heidi in Animal Assisted Play Therapy®. I love going into schools with her because I like being around children and young people! They seem to like my curly coat, and I’m also quite happy to have my ears rubbed! Sometimes we go for a short walk, or I get trained to do a new trick! Or we can just sit and spend time together.
Some children and young people find it a bit tricky to go back to school because they’ve had SUCH a loooooong summer break. Or they are a bit scared because they are new to this school. I get you, and it’s ok to be scared or worried. Heidi and I can help you work through these feelings. At your pace, and in the way which works best for you.
Heidi and I have joined the Clear Sky team so that we can work in Oxfordshire schools, helping some of their vulnerable children and young people – it could be anything from anxiety about peers to difficulties concentrating in school to worries in the home, or perhaps just feeling misunderstood. We’re here to give children and young people a space to explore whatever is on their mind- and we do it playfully, so there’s no pressure! I’ll be sharing more with you in the next blog, but if you’d like to work with Heidi and me, get in touch at: [email protected] for more information. Woof woof!
7th September 2026
Hello there everyone. My name is Rolo and I am the newest member of the Clear Sky Therapy team, along with Heidi, who looks after me!
I am 9 years old and I am a Standard Poodle. Heidi has spent a long time learning how to become a Certified Professional Practitioner of Animal Assisted Play Therapy®, so that she and I could work together in ways which make a difference in children and young people’s lives.
Animal Assisted Play Therapy® is a goal directed intervention in which an animal, meeting specific criteria, is an integral part of the work. As the name implies, Animal Assisted Play Therapy draws on play, incorporating an animal, as a way of connecting with and supporting children and young people.
AAPT® is delivered by a trained mental health, allied health or education professional who is either a registered play therapist or has had core training in play therapy techniques. Both the practitioner and the animal have undergone a rigorous certification process before being independently assessed by the AAPT International Certification Board®.
Heidi and I have joined the Clear Sky team so that we can work in Oxfordshire schools, helping some of their vulnerable children and young people to work on whatever comes up for them- it could be anything from anxiety about peers to difficulties concentrating in school to worries in the home, or perhaps just feeling misunderstood. We’re here to give children and young people a space to explore whatever is on their mind- and we do it playfully, so there’s no pressure!
I’ll be sharing lots of information with you over the coming weeks, so that schools can learn more about AAPT, and know how this approach can support children, whilst working alongside Heidi and me in a safe space.
Look out for my next blog, when I will share more about AAPT with you!
Woof woof for now!
ROLO
