Healthcare Settings

Trauma-Informed Animal-Assisted Intervention & Mental Health Support in Clinical Environments

Paws4Minds provides structured, trauma-informed mental health and wellbeing interventions within healthcare settings across East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.

We work in partnership with inpatient units, community teams and specialist education services to deliver clinically appropriate, outcome-focused Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) that complement existing treatment pathways.

Our role is to enhance emotional regulation, therapeutic engagement and psychological safety — not to replace statutory mental health provision.

Clinical Rationale & Therapeutic Value

Individuals accessing healthcare services often present with:

• Trauma histories and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

• Emotional dysregulation

• Attachment disruption

• Heightened anxiety or hyperarousal

• Disengagement from therapeutic processes

Paws4Minds integrates trauma-informed practice with structured Animal-Assisted Intervention to create regulated, relationally safe environments that increase engagement and support recovery-focused goals.

All work is grounded in trauma-informed principles and aligned with the Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) Framework.

 

Intervention Objectives

Programmes are structured to support:

• Emotional self-regulation and nervous system stabilisation

• Reduction in situational anxiety within clinical environments

• Increased engagement with care plans

• Strengthened relational trust and communication

• Development of adaptive coping strategies

• Improved participation in therapeutic activities

Sessions are delivered one-to-one or in small groups following suitability screening and multidisciplinary discussion where required.

 

Animal-Assisted Intervention in Healthcare

Paws4Minds delivers practitioner-led, structured Animal-Assisted Intervention in CAMHS and healthcare settings.

Noodle, a trained Wellbeing Support Dog, works under professional supervision to enhance therapeutic engagement.

His presence may support:

• Co-regulation and grounding during dysregulated states

• Reduction in physiological stress responses

• Increased motivation to participate in structured sessions

• Improved relational safety for trauma-affected individuals

This is not recreational dog visiting.

Animal involvement is clinically integrated, structured and purpose-led within a defined intervention framework.

 

Measurable Outcomes & Monitoring

Where appropriate, interventions may include:

• Pre- and post-intervention wellbeing measures

• Observational regulation tracking

• Goal-based outcome reviews

• Brief written summaries for clinical records (where agreed)

Outcome focus areas may include:

• Emotional regulation capacity

• Engagement indicators

• Anxiety reduction markers

• Participation consistency

• Behavioural stability

 

Paws4Minds supports data-informed practice while remaining proportionate to service capacity and governance requirements.

 

Governance, Risk & Compliance

Paws4Minds operates within robust governance frameworks.

We provide:

• Joint risk assessments in partnership with host services

• Clinical suitability screening prior to participation

• Infection prevention and hygiene adherence

• Clear safeguarding processes

• Defined professional boundaries

• Confidentiality aligned with service agreements

• Animal welfare risk management and structured rest periods

Delivery is provided by:

• Level 5 CPCAB Qualified Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner

• ARC Trauma-Informed Champion

• Mental Health First Aid (Level 2)

• City & Guilds Level 3 in Kennel Management

 

Paws4Minds provides structured mental health interventions.
We do not provide animal hire, exhibition, boarding or licensable animal activities under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

 

Settings Supported

We work with:

• CAMHS inpatient units

• Community Mental Health Teams

• Specialist educational healthcare provisions

• Alternative provision linked to clinical services

• Secure and high-support environments (subject to assessment)

Across East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.

 

Service Integration & Partnership Working

Paws4Minds collaborates with:

• Clinical Leads

• Service Managers

• MDT Teams

• Safeguarding Leads

• Education Coordinators within healthcare

 

Our approach is collaborative, transparent and designed to integrate seamlessly within existing service structures.

Interventions are clearly defined, time-bound and aligned with therapeutic goals.

Suitable Funding & Commissioning Routes

 

Services may be commissioned through:

• NHS service development funding

• Mental health transformation funding

• Integrated Care Board (ICB) initiatives

• CAMHS enhancement budgets

• Targeted early intervention funding

Information to support procurement and service planning can be provided upon request.

 

Enquiries & Service Discussion

If you are a Clinical Lead, Service Manager, Commissioner or ICB representative seeking structured trauma-informed Animal-Assisted Intervention within healthcare environments, we welcome discussion regarding clinical suitability and service integration.

📞 07789 901515
📧 paws4minds@gmail.com

Operating across: East Yorkshire | North Yorkshire | Northern Lincolnshire

Paws4Minds delivers structured, trauma-informed and outcome-focused mental health support. Animal-Assisted Intervention is integrated ethically within defined clinical governance frameworks.