Facility Dog
Therapy Support for Anxious Kids in Portland
At Raising Brave Kids, we know that healing doesn’t only happen through words.
Sometimes, it starts with feeling safe.
Our facility dog works alongside their handler, Jessica Munyon, LCSW, as part of our child anxiety therapy services in Portland. Together, they help create a calm, supportive environment where children feel regulated, understood, and brave enough to practice new skills.
What is a Facility Dog
A facility dog is a specially trained & temperament tested working dog who supports mental health professionals in therapeutic settings.
Unlike a personal pet or emotional support animal, a facility dog:
Is professionally trained
Works only with their handler
Supports structured therapy goals
Is not freely approachable while working
Our facility dog supports children navigating anxiety, OCD, school refusal, and big emotions as part of evidence-based treatment. More info on facility dogs visit canine.org
Why A Facility Dog
For many kids, walking into a therapy office can feel big. New space. New person. Big feelings.
A calm, steady dog can:
Help lower physiological stress and anxiety
Offer nonjudgmental presence during hard conversations
Support emotional regulation in real time
Increase motivation and engagement in sessions
Provide grounding during exposure work or challenging moments
Sometimes bravery starts with simply reaching out to pet a soft head.
How Our Facility Dog Supports Treatment
Our facility dog may:
Sit quietly during individual therapy sessions
Participate in child anxiety or OCD treatment to model calm presence
Support group therapy by helping kids practice turn-taking and social connection
Offer structured breaks for regulation
Be part of gradual exposure work when relevant
Just like every intervention at RBK, the involvement of our facility dog is thoughtful, consent-based, and aligned with each child’s treatment goals.
A Steady Presence
Dogs are masters of attunement. They notice tone shifts. Body changes. Energy in the room.
In moments when words feel hard, a dog offers something beautifully simple: I’m here.
For children working on anxiety, OCD, emotional regulation, or social confidence, that steady presence can make brave work feel just a little more doable.
At Raising Brave Kids, we’re always looking for ways to help kids move from overwhelm to confidence — and sometimes, the most powerful co-regulator has fur.
Curious if therapy with our facility dog is right for your child? Let’s talk.
Facility Dog Notice
Raising Brave Kids may incorporate a professionally trained facility dog into certain sessions as a supportive part of our therapeutic environment. Interaction with the dog is always optional, and families may request dog-free sessions at any time.
Our facility dog is not a service animal assigned to any one client. The dog’s presence is determined by the clinician based on clinical appropriateness, safety, and the needs of everyone in the space. The dog may be removed from a session at any time.
Please let us know in advance about dog allergies, asthma, immune concerns, cultural considerations, or fears related to dogs. While we take reasonable steps to maintain cleanliness, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. As with any animal interaction, there is a small inherent risk of allergic reaction or minor injury.
The facility dog is intended as a supportive addition to evidence-based care, and does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes.