Meet Benny
Meet Ever After’s Four Legged Counseling Partner.
Benny is a playful, intuitive Australian Shepherd who works alongside Melissa as part of animal-assisted therapy and Animal-Assisted Play Therapy® sessions.
Born in August 2021, Benny has been preparing for his role since puppyhood. He brings curiosity, humor, warmth, and a remarkable ability to meet people exactly where they are. Depending on the day, you might find him greeting a client with a favorite toy, resting quietly nearby, participating in a therapeutic activity, or offering a little comic relief at precisely the right moment.
What does Benny do in therapy?
Benny’s involvement is always intentional and connected to each client’s individual treatment goals. Working with Benny may help clients:
- Practice emotional awareness and regulation
- Recognize body language, boundaries, and consent
- Develop trust and relational safety
- Build confidence through cooperation and skill-building
- Explore attachment, grief, anxiety, and protective responses
- Practice flexibility, frustration tolerance, and problem-solving
- Experience connection and co-regulation during difficult moments
- Express experiences through play, storytelling, and metaphor
Sometimes Benny participates directly in an activity. At other times, his most important job is simply being present.
Benny is especially gifted at reminding us that communication is more than words, boundaries deserve respect, connection cannot be forced, and play can be deeply therapeutic.
What might a session with Benny look like?.
There is no single “Benny session.” His involvement is adapted to each client’s comfort, needs, preferences, and treatment plan.
A session might include observing Benny’s body language, teaching him a skill, engaging in cooperative play, practicing consent-based interaction, using his behavior as a starting point for reflection, or noticing what feelings and protective “parts” arise during connection.
Clients are never required to interact with Benny. Watching from a distance, asking him to take a break, or choosing a session without him are all completely acceptable.
Benny has choices, too.
Benny’s wellbeing is an essential part of ethical animal-assisted work. He is invited—not required—to participate.
Melissa continuously monitors Benny’s body language, energy, comfort, and willingness to engage. Benny always has access to rest, water, breaks, and dog-free spaces. If he communicates that he needs distance or is finished with an activity, that boundary is respected.
This creates meaningful opportunities for clients to experience consent, attunement, flexibility, and respect in real time.
A few of Benny’s favorite things.
Benny loves Chuckit adventures, squirrel toys, swimming, car rides, Starbucks water, frozen broccoli, and supervising the office.
He also takes his unofficial role as Mayor Benny very seriously. His mayoral responsibilities include greeting approved visitors, inspecting all toys, monitoring snack distribution, and ensuring that moments of play are not overlooked.
Interested in working with Benny?
If you are interested in including Benny in therapy, please let us know. We will discuss your comfort level, clinical needs, allergies, fears, cultural considerations, and whether animal-assisted work would be an appropriate addition to your treatment.
Participation is always optional, and a non-animal alternative is always available.
Benny may be part of the therapeutic process—but you remain at the center of your care.