Anna & Esther: A Pet Therapy Team in the Making

Comfort, care, and companionship—offered by a thanatologist and her giant, gentle helper

  • Thanatology & community health professional
  • MA in Thanatology (CUNY Brooklyn College – in progress)
  • Volunteer bereavement support caller (Accent Care Hospice)
  • Trained end-of-life doula
  • Future MSW student (Liberty University)
  • Working toward grief & bereavement therapist licensure
  • Guided by compassion, dignity, and the belief that no one—human or animal—should face death alone

Esther’s Training: Getting Comfortable with Groups for Pet Therapy

As Esther and I prepare to be evaluated as a registered Pet Partners therapy team, one of the most essential parts of her training is learning how to stay calm when many people are around her. In real visits, she won’t just meet one person at a time—there will often be family members, nurses, and staff gathered together, all eager to pet her and talk to her. With the help of her trainers and by guiding them through role play, I’ve been teaching Esther how to enjoy and feel safe in these situations.

Practicing with Multiple Hands

During training sessions, I instruct Esther’s trainers in role play on how and where to pet her. Sometimes one person gently strokes her head while another places a hand on her back. Esther is rewarded with calm praise and treats when she stays relaxed. As she is food-motivated, treats can help her build confidence that many hands mean kindness and safety.

Esther practicing calmly while her trainers and I role play group interactions, preparing her for real therapy settings

Esther practices staying calm while surrounded by her trainers
Two trainers practice petting Esther at the same time to prepare her for group visits.
Getting Used to Many Voices

It isn’t only about touch—Esther also needs to stay comfortable with overlapping voices and background conversation. I guide her trainers to speak to her at the same time, laugh, or ask her for attention, while I reinforce her calm responses. These exercises prepare her to remain calm amid the chatter and commotion of real-life therapy sessions.

Esther learns to stay focused even with several voices around her.
Building Positive Associations

We always make sure sessions are positive. Esther ends each practice with praise, gentle attention, or her favorite treat. I show the trainers how to finish with calm strokes on her shoulders or chest, which helps her associate group attention with comfort.

Why This Training Matters

Therapy work is about more than one-on-one connection—it’s about creating moments of shared joy. By actively guiding Esther’s trainers on how to role-play safe petting and conversation, I’m ensuring that she learns to feel confident in group interactions. These skills will enable her to bring comfort, connection, and a calm presence to those who need it most.

Through role play and my direction as her handler, Esther is gaining the confidence to succeed in group therapy settings.

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