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A
Safe
Space
Paws Four Therapy is a children's psychotherapy practice in Altona, Manitoba. It offers multi-modal therapy, including animal assisted therapy, to individuals aged 3-25. We also visit Care Homes and Retirement Residences on request to provide animal therapy for seniors.
Our safe space ensures comfort for all, with options for those concerned about allergies or fears. Driven by a child-centered approach grounded in attachment research, our sessions utilize art, music, and somatic exercises, as well as play therapy, including sand tray techniques suitable for all ages. We also specialize in addressing various issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, providing a nurturing environment for neuro-diverse children and those from the rainbow community. Our goal is to empower each child in their journey of self-discovery.
Angel Ross, MA, CCC
Angel holds a Master of Arts in Counselling from Providence Theological Seminary, with Undergraduate studies in Psychology and Counselling through Trinity Western University , the University of British Columbia, and the University of Manitoba.
With a special interest in the therapeutic use of animals, she completed advanced training in Child-Centered Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Angel has personally experienced childhood abuse, the foster care and adoption systems, domestic violence, family separation, and mental health concerns.
She has parented and learned from 5 children, navigating neurodiversity and gender identity within her family. This wealth of life experience provides a broad base from which to support children and families through all developmental stages.
She loves to spend time with her family and friends; camping, kayaking, or hiking - particularly if there are mountains or animals involved.
A self-identified "klutz", she admits that sometimes these adventures have unexpected endings, but she has an equally clumsy Golden Retriever who can usually be found adventuring with her and never laughs at her misfortunes.
She is a member in good standing of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and is accredited through them as a Canadian Certified Counsellor, meaning most benefit plans cover Paws Four Therapy services.
Ownership & Management
The business is owned and operated by Angel Ross as a private practice, with the assistance of animal co-workers Tipper, a Golden Retriever with a vision impairment, and Veronica, a cat with neurological challenges and developmental delays. Animals are a part of sessions only if desired and appropriate for the work we will do.
Your Needs, Our Specialties
Anxiety & Depression
Self-Esteem
Trauma; both acute and chronic
Domestic Violence
Life Transitions and Adjustment
Foster Care & Adoption Experiences
A structured, goal-directed intervention where a trained animal, like a dog or cat,
is used by a healthcare professional to improve a patient's social, emotional, cognitive, or physical functioning
Animal-
Assisted
Therapy
A form of psychotherapy that uses visual arts—like drawing, painting, or sculpting—to improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being
Art
Therapy
Techniques
The clinical, evidence-based use of music interventions to address physical, emotional, cognitive, communication, and social needs, improving health and well-being
Music
Therapy
Techniques
Explores how the body expresses deeply painful experiences, applying mind-body healing to aid with trauma recovery
Somatic
Therapy
Techniques
A therapeutic technique that uses a tray of sand along with small tools, toys, or figurines to help people express themselves without words
Sand
Tray
Exercises
using toys and activities like pretend play, art, music, and sandtray therapy to help children express themselves in a safe playroom, allowing them to process emotions and experiences at their own pace.
Play
Therapy
Techniques
Meet our
Therapy Animals
Tipper
Veronica
Key
Initiatives
&
Objectives
Paws Four Therapy provides clinical counselling and psychotherapy services to an underserved population of the Pembina Valley. Clients come from as far as Morden and Morris, bringing their children for support while navigating life and it's challenges, thereby enhancing their mental and psychological wellness.
Paws Four Therapy offers 20-minute free consultations to ensure a good fit between therapist and client and will also meet with parents when requested to help them strategize how best to support their children at home.
The practice is unique in it's offering of Animal-Assisted Therapy, which has already proven to be a big attraction for clients.
Due to sharing space with an occupational therapy practice, Paws Four Therapy has the added bonus of providing access to an indoor gym space where kids can jump, crash, wrestle, and swing as they process their emotional world.
