🐾 Animal Assisted Wellbeing with Woody
Helping Children, Young People & Adults Feel Calm, Confident & Connected
Sometimes connection doesn't begin with a conversation.
Sometimes it begins with a wagging tail.
At Bybrook Therapies, children, young people & adults are welcomed into a calm, accepting environment where there is no pressure to sit still, make eye contact or find the "right" words.
Alongside Woody, my trained therapy dog, I use animal-assisted activities, Solution Focused approaches and simple nervous-system education to help my clients understand themselves, recognise what is happening in their bodies and develop practical ways to manage emotions, confidence and everyday challenges.
These sessions can be particularly helpful for autistic and ADHD children, young people & adults including those awaiting assessment, as well as those experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, low confidence or difficulties with friendships and emotional regulation.
Safety before change. Connection before expectation.
Meet Woody 🐾
Woody is my trained therapy dog and an important part of the work we do at Bybrook Therapies.
For some, talking directly to an adult can feel difficult. Sitting beside Woody, brushing her, playing a simple game or taking her into the garden can make connecting feel much easier.
Woody also gives us a wonderful way of exploring emotions and the nervous system.
We might notice how Woody tells us when she feels relaxed, excited, uncertain or needs some space and then gently explore how our own bodies communicate with us too.
You can begin to understand:
What does safe feel like in my body?
How do I know when I'm becoming overwhelmed?
What helps me regulate?
What am I good at?
What do I need right now?
Woody doesn't expect you to be anything other than who you are.
And neither do I.
Is This Right for My Child?
Animal Assisted Wellbeing sessions may be helpful for children and young people who:
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Are autistic or ADHD, diagnosed or awaiting assessment
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Experience anxiety, worry or overwhelm
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Find emotional regulation difficult
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Experience shutdowns or big emotional responses
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Struggle with confidence or self-belief
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Find friendships or social situations challenging
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Experience sensory overwhelm
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Mask during the school day and struggle afterwards
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Find transitions or change difficult
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Would benefit from understanding themselves and their emotions better
There is no expectation to sit still, make eye contact or talk before they're ready.
We work with the child in front of us — their interests, strengths, communication style and individual needs.
What Happens During a Session?
No two sessions need to look exactly the same.
Depending on your child's needs, interests and goals, we might include:
🐾 Time interacting with Woody
🧠 Simple, age-appropriate explanations of the brain and nervous system
🌿 Breathing and regulation techniques
🎨 Creative therapeutic activities
💛 Exploring emotions and recognising body signals
🌈 Grounding and sensory activities
🐶 Grooming, walking or enrichment games with Woody
🌻 Confidence and strengths-based activities
💬 Solution Focused conversations about what is already working and what your child would like to be different
Woody can also become part of the learning.
By noticing her body language, boundaries, excitement, need for rest and ways of settling herself, children can explore their own feelings and nervous system without feeling as though they are being examined or corrected.
The aim isn't to teach a child to hide their feelings or behave more like everybody else.
It is to help them understand themselves and discover tools that genuinely work for them.
Individual Animal Assisted Wellbeing Sessions
£65 | 60 minutes
A personalised one-to-one session built around your child's individual needs.
Sessions may combine time with Woody, Solution Focused therapeutic activities, nervous-system education, emotional regulation strategies and confidence-building work.
Parents and carers can be involved where this helps the child feel comfortable and supported.
Small Groups & Holiday Programmes
At selected times throughout the year, I also offer small Animal Assisted Wellbeing groups and school-holiday programmes.
These gentle groups may explore themes including:
🐾 Feeling safe and building trust
💛 Understanding emotions
🌿 Calming and regulating the body
🌻 Confidence and self-belief
🌈 Friendship and communication
🧠 Understanding our amazing brains
Small group sizes allow children to connect with others without the pressure and stimulation of a large activity group.
These are therapeutic wellbeing sessions, not childcare.
Please contact me to find out about upcoming groups.
Why Bybrook Therapies?
I believe behaviour is communication.
When a child is struggling, I don't begin by asking, "How do we stop this behaviour?"
I'm much more interested in:
"What might this child be communicating and what do they need?"
My work brings together:
🐾 Animal-Assisted approaches with Woody
🧠 Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and therapeutic techniques
🌿 Nervous-system education and regulation
💛 Positive psychology and strengths-based practice
🌈 Neurodiversity-affirming support
My background includes a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Science, professional training in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Understanding Autism, First Aid at Work and an Enhanced DBS.
I am also registered with professional bodies including the CNHC and AfSFH.
Most importantly, I want children to experience Bybrook as somewhere they don't have to perform.
A place where they can simply arrive as themselves.
About Nicky
Hi, I'm Nicky, founder of Bybrook Therapies.
I have a particular interest in helping children and young people who experience the world intensely, children who may become overwhelmed, mask their feelings, struggle with confidence or simply need somebody to understand what's happening beneath their behaviour.
I don't want children leaving my room believing there was something about them that needed "fixing."
I want them to understand themselves a little better.
To notice what their body is telling them.
To recognise their strengths.
And to discover that they already have abilities and resources they can build upon.
Woody helps make that work feel natural, safe and sometimes even fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need to love dogs?
No. Interaction with Woody is always guided by your child's comfort level. There is never any pressure to touch or interact with her.
Can parents stay?
Yes. We can decide together what will help your child feel most comfortable and supported.
Does my child need an autism or ADHD diagnosis?
No. A diagnosis is not required. Sessions are based on your child's individual needs rather than a diagnostic label.
Are sessions suitable for autistic and ADHD children?
Yes. My approach is neurodiversity-affirming and can be adapted around individual communication, sensory and emotional needs.
Is Woody trained?
Yes. Woody is a trained therapy dog and works alongside me within my animal-assisted practice.
What if my child doesn't want to talk?
That's absolutely fine.
Connection can happen in many ways. We can begin with Woody, an activity, a game, drawing, movement or simply getting comfortable in the space.
Ready to Meet Woody? 🐾
If your child could benefit from a calm space to build confidence, understand their emotions and discover ways to feel more regulated and secure, I'd love to hear from you.
You are welcome to get in touch first and tell me a little about your child. We can then decide together whether an Animal Assisted Wellbeing session with Woody feels like the right next step.
Individual sessions: £65 | 60 minutes
Bybrook Therapies
Safety before release. Capacity before intensity.
