Did you know that dogs changed health care?

Canines brought new techniques to psychology and psychotherapy in unexpected ways. They showed us how to help ourselves and each other. But first, their human partners had to be paying attention.

Two giants of psychotherapy were doing just that: watching and learning from their dogs.

Sigmund Freud and child psychotherapist Boris Levinson and their two dogs, Jofi and Jingles, inspired change in psychotherapy. Both dogs joined their human guardians in the therapy consultation room and changed the clinicians’ perspective of treating patients.

Who knew dogs could help?

Jofi and Jingles did.

Jofi, the co-therapist who snored

Jofi, Sigmund Freud’s chow, inspired the father of psychoanalysis to understand his patients better. Jofi was Freud’s companion in the consulting room and knew from watching Freud when the 50-minute therapy session should end. Jofi would indicate it was time to stop by going to the door as the hour ended. Jofi reacted to the patient’s moods and acted as a kind of “barometer” of the psychic weather for Freud to interpret. Freud was a true dog lover and “pet parent” and even sang opera to his dogs. Jofi became so relaxed, she snored during the therapy sessions.

Jingles, the inspiration for a Classic Book

Jingles, the dog of child psychologist Boris Levinson, inspired Levinson’s classic book Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy. Jingles entered the therapy room and worked with children during Levinson’s therapy sessions. Levinson documented his work with Jingles and children in a paper, The Dog as a Co-Therapist. In 1969, When Levinson’s wrote his book based on his work with Jofi, it was the first book to document the techniques of using animals in psychotherapy. The book continues to be cited by researchers in the field of animal-assisted therapy. Although his colleagues initially ridiculed him for his ideas inspired by Jingles, Levinson continued to pursue his work, and now his book stands as a classic reference in animal-assisted therapy.

Canine Ice Breakers

Freud and Levinson both observed how dogs could have a calming effect on people. Dogs could help humans identify and express fears and allow them added access to their inner thoughts and feelings. Psychotherapy and counseling are narrative experiences where the person needs to tell and understand one’s own story. It’s often more accessible with a dog in the room, or a dog is part of a story. Dogs are often symbols or metaphors. Dogs in a therapy setting can also facilitate the process in the here and now just with their presence. If someone struggles to improve their social interactions and communication with others, telling stories or teaching a new skill to a pet or reading with a dog can provide practice at a new skill.

Jofi and Jingles stepped into the therapy room, interacted with Freud and Levinson’s patients and demonstrated to the two therapists how an animal could facilitate the process of therapy by opening up communication. They acted as a kind of “furry ice breaker” and provided ways to access feelings in the therapeutic relationship.

Jofi and Jingles were notable pioneers in animal assisted therapy, just by being themselves- great dogs! Dogs like Jofi and Jingles help us see possibilities- in them, in ourselves, and each other.

Let’s hope we humans keep paying attention.