08/13/2025
You might not believe it now, but when Zander was a puppy, he had a very specific way of getting our attention… by nipping our butts! 😂
We quickly realized we had to teach him a different way to connect — one that worked for everyone. So we taught him to bring us a toy instead. No toy? No attention. Simple, consistent, and rooted in love.
Now, 7 years later, he still greets us with a toy in his mouth — every. single. time. It’s his way of saying: “I’m here, I love you, and I want to connect.”
This sweet habit is more than adorable — it’s a beautiful example of how we can change patterns, especially when we feel safe and supported.
In our therapy practice, we work with adolescents and adults to understand how early experiences shape how we show up in adulthood — in relationships, at work, with ourselves. Whether it's generalized or social anxiety, depression, CPTSD, toxic family dynamics, or unlearning deeply rooted survival strategies, healing starts with awareness… and continues with compassion.
Zander may not be an official therapy dog, but he reminds us daily: our patterns aren’t fixed. With the right support, even the most automatic reactions can shift into something grounded, healthy, and healing.
