Meet Louie
An optional and entirely open invitation
From Wednesday 24th June
Louie will begin a gradual training process as part of the therapeutic work, for clients who feel curious about or open to including him. This is a fully optional invitation. Your choice around this carries no weight in either direction and will have no impact on our work, our relationship, or the care you receive. There is no expectation that you respond to this email, make a decision now, or feel any particular way about it.
If you have previously preferred sessions without a dog, and that remains your preference, please simply continue to your next session as usual. If you are curious, uncertain, or would like to explore what this might mean for your process, you are warmly welcome to reach out to me directly before your next session — or we can hold the conversation gently in the room together.
A calm, curious and connected spirit
Louie
Whilst Louie is very much a puppy... playful, full of life and prone to enthusiastic face kisses, what first drew us to him was something quieter beneath the surface. He has a grounded, present quality; a way of simply being with that feels meaningful. He enjoys connection deeply. He will seek you out, settle near you, and then, with very little ceremony, curl up and fall soundly asleep. He naps often, and without apology.
Your sessions
remain yours
If our work together has not previously included Delilah, nothing will change unless you choose for it to. The therapeutic relationship, the process, and the space we have built together remain unchanged and continue as they are.
If our sessions have included Delilah, and you have valued that aspect of the work, this is something we can explore together in our own time and in a way that feels therapeutically right for you.
What to Expect
during the transition
01
Puppy in training
Louie is at the very beginning of his journey. There will be a transition period during which he is learning how to be in the therapy space.
02
Your comfort comes first
There may be sessions, or moments within sessions, where it is more appropriate for him to be elsewhere, and these decisions will always be held within the therapeutic frame.
03
Gradual, trust-led process
Louie's involvement will be introduced slowly and carefully, with attention to both your experience and his wellbeing. We trust in the process — and we trust in him.
Puppy in Training
He arrived
a little sooner than expected
When we first met Louie, we simply knew. He hadn't been planned for quite yet — but sometimes the right presence arrives before you are fully ready for it, and you feel it in a way that goes beyond logic. From the moment we met him, there was a quiet certainty: Louie was meant to be with us.
He arrived into our family on Friday 19 June, and he is already settling in with a sense of ease that feels entirely his own. He is almost nine weeks old, a Flat‑Coated Retriever, and he is very much at home.
For those of you who knew Delilah — who felt her steady, always-present energy in the room — Louie carries forward something of that same spirit. He steps gently, and we feel, with great love, into the connected and very full paw prints she left behind.
The Flat‑Coated Retriever
who they are
Flat‑Coated Retrievers are known for being gentle, lively and deeply people-oriented. They are less prone to over-exuberance than many retriever breeds, tending instead toward a kind, curious and companionable nature.
They thrive on connection, are sensitive to the emotional tone of those around them, and are known for their sociable, loving and remarkably calm presence with people of all kinds.
It is no coincidence that the breed is well-regarded in therapeutic and support settings, their attunement to human emotion makes them natural companions in relational work.
How this works
In keeping with BACP ethical guidelines and the values that underpin this practice, a few things are important to name clearly.
Consent
Louie's presence in sessions is always subject to your ongoing and withdrawable consent.
Relationship
Including a therapy animal is never a clinical substitute for the therapeutic relationship or the work itself.
Boundaries
Louie's welfare and boundaries are given equal care and attention. He will not be in the space when tired, unwell or overwhelmed.
Choice
Any concerns, hesitence, allergies, personal or cultural considerations will be respected fully and without question.
Temperament
Flat‑Coated Retriever, almost 9 weeks old, beginning his gentle training journey
Age & Breed
Calm, grounded, curious — with a playful puppy heart underneath
What he loves
Connection, gentle closeness, face kisses, and long, restorative naps
As ever, there is no pressure, no rush, and no expectation.
We are very much looking forward to the journey ahead with Hamish, and to wherever this new chapter takes us in our work together. The therapeutic space remains yours, and Hamish, in his own quiet and unhurried way, is simply pleased to be here.
For questions, concerns or to discuss including Louie in future sessions, please contact me directly or bring it up during our next session.
FAQ
Do I have to have Louie in my sessions?
No. Including Louie is completely optional and always based on your choice. Therapy can continue exactly as it is now, without Louie present, if that is what feels most comfortable or appropriate for you. Your access to therapy and the quality of our work together will not be affected in any way by whether you do or do not choose to include a dog.
What if I feel unsure, anxious or change my mind?
Uncertainty, mixed feelings or changes of heart are all welcome and can be part of our work together. You can say no, change your mind, or ask for Louie to leave the room at any point during a session, and this will be respected without question.
If you are curious but unsure, we can explore this gently in conversation first, at your pace, before making any decisions about Louie being present.
How will Louie’s wellbeing and safety be looked after?
Louie’s welfare is considered alongside your own. He will be carefully monitored for signs of tiredness, overwhelm or discomfort, and will have regular breaks, rest time and time away from the therapy room when needed.
He will only be in sessions when it is appropriate for both him and the client, and he will not be left alone with clients at any time. This is in line with ethical guidance around animal‑assisted therapy and good practice standards.
Are there any practical considerations (allergies, fears, boundaries)?
Yes. If you have allergies, fears or any practical or cultural reasons why having a dog in the room would not be right for you, please let Suzanna know and Louie will simply not be present in your sessions.
If you do choose to have Louie in the room, we will agree clear boundaries together (for example, how close he is, whether you wish to touch him, and for how long he is present) so that the space remains safe and manageable for you at all times.