Animal Assisted Therapy
Discover the life-changing potential of the human-animal bond in a therapeutic setting, creating a safe and nurturing environment for healing and growth.
Animal-Assisted Healing Starts with Companionship
Experience the transformative power of animal-assisted therapy. Our gentle companion help's create a safe, nurturing environment for emotional healing and personal growth.
Jaslyn Zarate, RCSWI, CMIP, C-AAIS
Services located at Ellie Mental Health, Estero
Hi there! I'm Jazz, a registered clinical social worker intern currently pursuing Florida state licensure. My practice is built around the belief that healing happens best when we honor the whole person—your mind, body, and spirit. I specialize in animal-assisted interventions because I've witnessed firsthand how restorative the human-animal bond can be, especially for children, trauma survivors, and neurodivergent individuals who might connect with animals in ways that feel safer or more natural than traditional therapy settings.
At the heart of my work is a mindfulness-based approach that helps you tune into the present moment with compassion and curiosity. Through animal-assisted therapy, we create opportunities for grounding and awareness—noticing how your body responds when you're with an animal, how your breath shifts, how presence can emerge naturally in these connections. This mindful awareness becomes particularly powerful in trauma recovery, where learning to feel safe in your body and the present moment is essential to healing.
Every person who walks through my door brings their own unique story, background, and way of experiencing the world. I'm committed to creating a space that feels culturally responsive and genuinely welcoming, whether you're 5 years old or in your golden years, whether you're coming as an individual or with your whole family. Together, we'll weave mindfulness practices into our work, helping you reconnect with yourself, process what you've been through, and find your path forward with greater ease and self-compassion.
"In the body lies the map our minds have misplaced; when sensation, movement, story, and soul are welcomed into the light of awareness, we remember the way home to ourselves."
Compassionate care
Our Services
Explore personalized support designed to nurture healing, strengthen connection, and help you move forward with confidence.
Complex Trauma & PTSD Support
Move from surviving to thriving with trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches that honor your body's wisdom and build lasting resilience.
Neurodiverse Support
Compassionate, strength-based support for individuals navigating autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent journeys. We collaborate to build practical skills and develop individualized strategies that celebrate your uniqueness while fostering sustainable growth.
Mood Disorders
Engage in innovative therapeutic treatment to help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress facilitated through the natural calming presence of our specially trained therapy dog.
Social Skills Development
Cultivate self-confidence and develop meaningful social connections in a calm, sensory-conscious environment where you can flourish at your own pace.
Grief & Loss Support
Find meaningful validation and restorative healing during times of profound loss, supported by the unconditional acceptance, gentle comfort, and therapeutic presence of our therapy dog.
Somatic Therapy
Combine somatic awareness, mindfulness techniques, and intentional movement to support trauma recovery, stress reduction, and emotional healing through grounded, body-centered practices.
Family Therapy
Develop stronger family relationships and communication through animal-assisted therapy experiences that offer a serene, accepting space where family members can grow, process challenges together, and deepen their understanding of one another at a comfortable pace.
Disability Accommodation Consult
Provide consultation and support for individuals with disabilities to ensure they have access to the services they need.
Medication Management Support
Medication Management Support works alongside your active prescriber to provide psychoeducation, symptom monitoring, and coordinated care, helping you feel informed and supported throughout your treatment.
Play Therapy
Play is a child’s natural language—through it, children can safely express feelings, process experiences, and build coping skills in a way that feels engaging and developmentally appropriate.
Polyvagal-Informed Therapy
Learn to draw on the science of the nervous system to help yourself tune into your body’s signals of stress or shutdown, gently guiding you toward greater ease, steadiness, and trust in everyday life.
Evidence-Based Approaches
Focused on complex trauma and PTSD, neurodevelopmental and learning conditions (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, OCD, SPD), dissociative disorders, chronic illness, medication management support (with active provider), prenatal/postnatal, mood disorders, emotional and behavioral strategies, cultural identity exploration, and family healing. Extensively integrating evidence-based approaches in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Somatic Therapy, Polyvagal-Informed Therapy, Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI), Experiential Therapy (art, play, sand, movement, role-plays), Sensory-Based Interventions, Attachment Work, and offering Disability Accommodation Consultation.
Meet Finn,
The newest member of the team, Finn is filling the paws of our now-retired service dog, Luka. He is a medical alert dog and a co-therapist in training, specializing in supporting grounding, emotional regulation, connection, and a greater sense of safety during therapy sessions.
Coverage options
Accepted Insurance
Making compassionate care easier to access through trusted insurance partners and flexible self-pay options.
Coverage and benefits vary by plan. Please contact us to confirm eligibility.
Get in Touch
Book Your Session
Location: 22904 Lyden Dr, Estero, FL 33928
Service Area: Southwest Florida - Estero, Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Sanibel, Marco Island
Phone: (954) 546-1016
Email: pawsandhealing@gmail.com
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Weekends: Saturday appointments available
Client Stories
SM
Sarah M.
Anxiety & Trauma Recovery
★★★★★
"After struggling with anxiety for years, my sessions with Luka the therapy dog have been life-changing. His gentle composure helps me feel safe enough to process my emotions. I've never felt more understood."
JL
Jennifer L.
Parent of Child with Autism
★★★★★
"My son has autism and has always struggled with social interactions. Working with Luka has given him confidence and taught him patience. The progress we've seen in just a few months is incredible."
MR
Margaret R.
Grief & Loss Support
★★★★★
"When my dad died suddenly, I felt completely numb until I began working with Jazz and Luka. Luka would sit quietly beside me as I cried, his quiet reliability helping me find my voice again. Through his calm companionship, I learned that shared grief can slowly transform into gratitude for the precious time we had together."