Enhancing Mental Health Therapy for C-PTSD, ADHD, and Autism with Animal-Assisted Therapy in Lancaster, Buffalo, and Western New York

Do These Sound Famililar?

“Pay Attention!”

“Well Have You Really Tried?”

“It’s All in Your Head”

“What’s the Point?”

“Disruptive Behavior”

“Always Daydreaming”

“You Don’t Look Sick”

“Why Can’t You Act Like Everyone Else?”

“You’re Being Dramatic!”

“I’m Not Good Enough”

“If You Would Just Focus”

“Why Can’t You Just Be Normal?”

“Attention-Seeking Behavior”

“Can’t Sit Still”

You’re Not Alone.

“I Feel Like a Burden”

“You’re So Mature and Strong!”

“Why am I Like This?”

“I’m Broken”

“Thoughts and Prayers”

“It’s Just a Pet…”

“Everything Happens for a Reason”

“Let Me Know if You Need Anything”

“Things will Never Get Better”

Our Specalities

A hand putting sensory water beads into a round container. Focuses on sensory input, sensory needs, and self-regulation.
A hand putting sensory water beads into a round container. Focuses on sensory input, sensory needs, and self-regulation.

  • ADHD

  • Autism

  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

  • Sensory Processing

  • Pathological Demand Avoidance Profiles

Neurodiversity

A woman holding pink plastic heart-shaped glasses and a stethoscope, smiling.
A woman holding pink plastic heart-shaped glasses and a stethoscope, smiling.

  • Medical Gaslighting

  • Invalidation and Isolation

  • Health-Related Anxiety

  • Health-Related Depression

  • Self-Advocacy Burnout

  • Chronic Fatigue

Chronic Illness

A woman with long dark hair covers her face with her hands, showing red nail polish. She is wearing a black sleeveless top, and the background is a plain, dark curtain. Appears to be distressed. Trauma. Trauma Therapy. PTSD. Mental Health Therapy.
A woman with long dark hair covers her face with her hands, showing red nail polish. She is wearing a black sleeveless top, and the background is a plain, dark curtain. Appears to be distressed. Trauma. Trauma Therapy. PTSD. Mental Health Therapy.

  • Complex Trauma (CPTSD)

  • Parent & Pet Loss

  • Dissociation

  • Developmental Trauma

    • Childhood ACES

    • Attachment Wounding

Trauma

What Makes Us Different

A woman with long blonde hair holding a white fluffy dog close to her face outdoors during sunset.
A woman with long blonde hair holding a white fluffy dog close to her face outdoors during sunset.

Our animal-assisted therapy (AAT) approach integrates specially trained therapy animals into the therapeutic process, creating a novel, multi-sensory experience that engages clients on emotional, physical, and relational levels. By blending animal-assisted interventions with traditional mental health therapies, we offer a uniquely individualized and innovative pathway that widens clients’ nervous system capacity (“Window of Tolerance”), deepens healing, and enriches the therapeutic relationship and a client’s sense of safety.

The Human-Animal Bond

Book a FREE Discovery Call Today

Certified Animal-Assisted Interventions Specialist

Woman with purple hair and glasses hugging three small dogs against a plain beige background.
Woman with purple hair and glasses hugging three small dogs against a plain beige background.

Jessica is certified in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) through the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) and is required to complete CE hours to maintain her certification. She has taken the extra step to have her animal-assisted therapy practice with her therapy dog professionally evaluated as a special distinction that highlights her dedication to animal welfare and intervention fidelity.

Jessica integrates animal-assisted therapy into multiple evidence-based treatment modalities, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic psychotherapies, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed parts work.

The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy

In-person services provided to children and adults ages 4 and up living in and/or around Lancaster, Buffalo, and Western New York

Jessica Allen LCSW and Canine Connected Counseling's Office Building in Lancaster, NY.
Jessica Allen LCSW and Canine Connected Counseling's Office Building in Lancaster, NY.

5775 Broadway Lancaster, NY 14086

  • Lancaster, NY

  • Depew, NY

  • Alden, NY

  • Clarence, NY

  • Akron, NY

  • Snyder, NY

  • West, Seneca

  • Orchard Park. NY

  • Hamburg, NY

  • Buffalo, NY

  • South Buffalo, NY

  • Sloan, NY

  • Williamsville, NY

  • East Aurora, NY

  • West Falls, NY

  • Cheektowaga, NY

  • Elma, NY

  • Marilla, NY

 

A limited number of telehealth/virtual appointments are available to residents across New York State.

Call Our Office to Inquire

Services

Clinical Practice

A cozy room with bookshelves, a colorful rug, and a sitting area with two small dogs. The room has a window, a whiteboard, and framed artwork on the walls. There are tables with toys and books, and multiple chairs and couches for seating.
A cozy room with bookshelves, a colorful rug, and a sitting area with two small dogs. The room has a window, a whiteboard, and framed artwork on the walls. There are tables with toys and books, and multiple chairs and couches for seating.

Individual Therapy

One-on-One person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed mental health counseling focused on meeting your mental health needs.

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Four friends stand together outdoors during sunset, embracing each other, overlooking a landscape, with picnic items on the ground.
Four friends stand together outdoors during sunset, embracing each other, overlooking a landscape, with picnic items on the ground.

Group Therapy

Therapeutic groups for mental health and holistic well-being covering a variety of topics. Kept intentionally small, between 6 and 12 participants, to foster deeper connections and encourage intuitive processing.

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For Professionals

Two women sitting at a gray table with papers and a pen, possibly discussing documents. Both are wearing white shirts with black polka dots, and one has long blonde hair while the other's hair is not visible.
Two women sitting at a gray table with papers and a pen, possibly discussing documents. Both are wearing white shirts with black polka dots, and one has long blonde hair while the other's hair is not visible.

Consultations

Case reviews and guidance in one-on-one or group settings for licensed mental health professionals.

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A person taking notes on a notepad with a pen, seated in a row among other people in a dimly lit setting, possibly a conference or lecture.
A person taking notes on a notepad with a pen, seated in a row among other people in a dimly lit setting, possibly a conference or lecture.

Trainings

Providing professionals and clients with psychoeducation on a variety of coping strategies, therapy treatment modalities, and more.

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Logo of the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) featuring a hand and a dog silhouette inside a circle

Professional Affiliations

Proud member of NASW logo with NASW text and graphic.
Graphic of a dog sitting on a human hand holding it up, with text reading 'Human-Animal Interaction APA Division 17, Section 13' on a dark background.
Logo of Neurodiversity Paradigm Centered Therapists, featuring a circular text arrangement, a colorful illustration of raised hands beneath blue brain silhouettes, and the words 'Therapy, Advocacy, Education' with an established date of January 2018.
EMDR International Association logo with white text on a dark blue background.