🐾 Animal Assisted Wellbeing Sessions with Woody
Helping Neurodivergent Children Feel Calm, Confident & Connected
Sometimes the best therapy begins with a wagging tail.
At Bybrook Therapies, children are welcomed into a calm, safe and nurturing environment where they can slow down, regulate their nervous system and build confidence through the gentle support of Woody, my trained therapy dog.
These sessions combine Animal Assisted Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, nervous system education and practical emotional regulation strategies to help children thrive—emotionally, socially and mentally.
Whether your child is autistic, ADHD, highly sensitive or simply finding life overwhelming, every session is tailored to their unique strengths and needs.
Small steps. Big changes.
Meet Woody 🐾
Woody is much more than a friendly face.
As a trained therapy dog, she helps children feel safe, accepted and understood. Many children who find conversation difficult naturally begin to relax through simply sitting with her, brushing her coat, playing gentle games or taking her for a walk around the garden.
Woody never judges.
She simply meets every child exactly where they are.
For many children, that is where healing begins.
Is This Right For My Child?
These sessions are ideal for children aged 6–16 years who may:
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Feel anxious or worried
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Be autistic or ADHD (diagnosed or awaiting assessment)
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Struggle with confidence or self-esteem
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Experience sensory overwhelm
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Find friendships difficult
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Mask their emotions at school
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Have emotional outbursts or shutdowns
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Need support understanding their emotions
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Feel overwhelmed by change
Every child is different.
There is no expectation to sit still, make eye contact or talk before they're ready.
What Happens During a Session?
Every session is designed around your child's needs and interests.
Activities may include:
🐾 Meeting and interacting with Woody
🧠 Learning how the brain and nervous system work
🌿 Simple breathing techniques for calming big emotions
🎨 Creative therapeutic activities
💛 Emotional check-ins
🌈 Mindfulness and grounding exercises
🐶 Grooming, walking or enrichment games with Woody
🌻 Confidence-building activities
Children learn practical tools they can use at home, at school and throughout everyday life.
Summer Calm Club 🌞
A gentle wellbeing group for neurodivergent children during the school holidays.
Unlike busy holiday clubs, these small therapeutic groups provide a peaceful environment where children can:
🐾 Spend time with Woody
🌿 Learn calming techniques
💛 Build confidence
🌈 Make friends in a supportive environment
🧠 Understand their amazing brains
🎨 Enjoy sensory and creative activities
1:1 sessions or small groups (max 4) children ensures every child feels safe, supported and included.
Session Fees
Individual Animal Assisted Wellbeing Session
£55
60-minute personalised session
A tailored one-to-one session designed around your child's individual needs, combining the calming presence of Woody with therapeutic activities that support emotional wellbeing, confidence and nervous system regulation.
Includes:
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Individual therapeutic support
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Time with Woody
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Emotional regulation strategies
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Confidence-building activities
Summer Calm Club - 6 week programme 🌞
A gentle wellbeing programme for neurodivergent children during the summer holidays.
Full 6-week programme for £135 or £25.00 per session
60-minute small-group sessions (Maximum 4 children)
Each week children will explore a different wellbeing theme through interaction with Woody, creative activities, nervous system education and practical calming techniques.
Weekly Themes
Week 1 – Feeling Safe
Getting to know Woody, building trust and creating a calm, welcoming environment.
Week 2 – Understanding Big Feelings
Recognising emotions and learning healthy ways to express them.
Week 3 – Calm Body, Calm Mind
Breathing, mindfulness and sensory regulation strategies.
Week 4 – Confidence & Self-Belief
Celebrating strengths, building resilience and developing self-esteem.
Week 5 – Friendship & Communication
Learning social skills, empathy and positive relationships through guided activities with Woody.
Week 6 – Growing Stronger Together
Reflecting on progress, celebrating achievements and creating a personalised "Calm Toolkit" to take home.
A calm, therapeutic experience — not childcare.
Small group sizes ensure every child feels safe, supported and valued while developing practical skills they can use at home, at school and in everyday life.
Why Choose Bybrook Therapies?
When you work with me, you're not just booking a therapy session.
You're choosing someone who understands that behaviour is communication and that every child deserves to feel safe before they can learn, grow and flourish.
My approach combines:
• Animal Assisted Therapy
• Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
• Nervous System Regulation
• 9D Breathwork
• Positive Psychology
• Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice
Sessions are always child-led, compassionate and strengths-based.
About Me
Hi, I'm Nicky.
I'm passionate about helping children discover that they are never "too much" or "not enough."
With a background supporting children and families, together with professional qualifications in Solution Focused Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy and nervous system regulation, I provide a calm, welcoming space where children can feel accepted exactly as they are.
Together with Woody, my goal is simple:
To help children leave each session feeling calmer, more confident and better equipped to navigate life's challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need to love dogs?
Not at all. Many children begin cautiously, and Woody always works at their pace.
Can parents stay?
Yes. Depending on your child's age and needs, we can decide together what feels most supportive.
Are sessions suitable for autistic and ADHD children?
Absolutely. Sessions are neurodiversity-affirming and tailored to each child's individual sensory, communication and emotional needs.
Is Woody insured and trained?
Yes. Woody is a trained therapy dog, and all sessions are fully insured.
Ready to Meet Woody?
If you're looking for a calm, compassionate approach that helps your child build confidence, regulate emotions and feel truly understood, I'd love to welcome you to Bybrook Therapies.
