Animal Assisted Interventions at Be Well NOLA
Animal-Assisted Therapy
At Be Well NOLA Counseling, we recognize that connection is at the heart of healing and sometimes that connection comes with a wagging tail.
Dr. Laura Hernandez is a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Professional (C-AAIS) through the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP). She partners with Arby, her trained therapy dog and gentle Golden Retriever, to support clients through a specialized form of counseling known as Animal-Assisted Therapy.
In these sessions, Arby helps create a calm and welcoming environment that encourages openness and emotional safety. His presence can reduce anxiety, promote trust, and offer comfort during difficult moments. This evidence-based approach is especially helpful for children and teens, supporting emotional regulation, social connection, and overall well-being.
Together, Dr. Hernandez and Arby bring warmth, compassion, and partnership to the therapeutic process, helping clients feel seen, supported, and never alone on their journey toward healing.
Our golden retriever pup, Arby, was born June 23, 2020. His kind and gentle personality makes him a wonderful addition to the counseling experience at Be Well NOLA. He loves making new friends!
As a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Professional, I integrate the power of the human-animal bond into therapeutic work. Animals offer unique emotional support, fostering connection, trust, and healing in ways that words sometimes cannot. Through guided interventions, I help individuals experience the calming, grounding presence of animals, enhancing personal growth and well-being.
Life is golden!
Our first golden retriever, Rex, was part of our lives for almost 14 years. He brought us so much joy and happiness over the years and we truly experienced how therapeutic a relationship with an animal can be.
Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood. (The Power of Pets: Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction; NIH News in Health)