Therapeutic Animals

BILL

aka

"Bow-tie Bill"

Our dogs aren't just companions—they're little heroes in fur coats. With their superpowers of connection, comfort, and joy, they can quiet noisy minds, ease racing hearts, and melt away layers of stress and worry. They don’t need words to understand; their presence alone can help a person feel seen, safe, and settled.

Science backs what our hearts already know: spending time with a dog can lower stress hormones like cortisol and boost feel-good chemicals like oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. In other words, dogs are like walking, wagging doses of happiness.

ABOUT BILL

Pictured here is one of our visiting therapy dogs, Bill—a fluffy, slightly goofy Border Collie with a heart the size of the moon. Bill’s favourite things in the world are snuggling up with his favourite humans, trying on dashing bowties, playing a game of fetch, and enthusiastically learning new tricks—whether he gets them right or not.

One of Bill’s absolute favourite games is Keepie Uppies . A simple but magical game where players stretch, twist, leap, and laugh to keep the balloon dancing in the air. 

It’s not about skill; it’s about connection. The balloon rises, dips, and glides—never in a straight line, always in surprise. And when one of the players is a Border Collie who’s momentarily forgotten he’s not a person, the whole room lights up.. 

But what makes this game even more special is the story behind how Bill came to love it.

When Bill was a puppy, balloons were his worst nightmare. The sudden pops, the strange way they floated and darted—it was all too much. He’d whimper, scratch at the floor, and run from the room the moment he saw one. That is, until one sunny birthday afternoon changed everything.

At a party filled with noise and colour, one eight-year-old girl noticed Bill eyeing a balloon on the ground, warily from beneath a table. She quietly sat beside him, her voice soft and steady. 

This little girl was neurodiverse; her auditory sensitivity and struggles with anxiety meant that a balloon had once been a scary thing to her, at any moment able to "POP!" and make a loud sound that felt uncomfortable and scary in her ears and her whole body.  

She told him that yes, balloons can go bang, and yes, they move strangely—but they can also be full of joy. She promised him that with a little bravery, he might even have fun.

She gently invited Bill to play a game called Keepie Uppies, demonstrating the game with one of the other children. He watched, wide-eyed, as she tapped the balloon into the air with her fingertips, giggling as it floated and bobbed. 

Now, the thing about border collies is that they like to help. When they see a human who is important to them trying to do something, their border collie brain wonders how they might be able to assist. Bill quickly understood that the children didn't want the ball to touch the ground. He also saw that the children playing were happy, smiling, and laughing; they weren't very scared of the balloon at all. Tentatively, he gave the balloon a bop with his nose.

Bill threw himself into the game with tail-wagging delight, swatting and bouncing and barking with joy. When the match ended, he didn’t want to stop—but there was one more problem: he couldn’t figure out how to pick up the balloon to start again. 

He tried everything—bopping it with his nose, nudging it along the floor, even giving it a few gentle paw scratches. Finally, with a big sigh and a flop, he gave up.

That’s when the little girl returned, knelt down beside him, and showed him her trick: gently roll the balloon over and lift it by the knot with your teeth. Bill’s eyes lit up with wonder. He tried and succeeded, and his whole body wagged with pride.

Now, if you ever find yourself in a room with a balloon and Bill, you can be sure he’ll invite you to play. And he won’t stop until everyone is laughing.

Bill or one of his four-legged friends, like Bingo or Mrs Jones, the little dog, canine members of the team might be waiting in a cozy basket during your visit, curled up on your practitioner's lap during a Zoom call, or trotting beside you on a walk-and-talk. However they show up, they’re here to offer connection and comfort in the most heartfelt way.

Because sometimes, the most healing thing in the world is a soft nose nudging your hand, a tail thumping nearby, and the quiet message: "You're not alone."

MRS JONES

aka

"Penny"    "Pen-Pen"     "Jonesy"

Our pint-sized terrier, Mrs Jones, is three years old—but with her big puppy eyes and playful bounce, she still looks like a little pup. She’s never quite figured out how to sit for her food like other dogs. Instead, whenever someone says "please," she strikes a proud little pose, as if she’s royalty awaiting her treat.

Mrs Jones is an enthusiastic greeter and a dedicated lap snuggler. She loves meeting new people and makes a delightful companion in therapy sessions. Often curled up like a croissant on someone's lap or perched like a queen on the back of an armchair, she brings warmth and cheer wherever she goes.

If you're lucky enough to meet her, be prepared to pay the Cheese Tax—her preferred form of tribute. Mrs Jones is always ready to offer comfort, cuddles, and a whole lot of charm.

BINGO

aka

"Cheese Girl"     "Bingo-Bango-Bongo," 

Bingo is our spirited female terrier, known for her awkwardly small legs in proportion to her body—but don’t let that fool you. What she lacks in height, she more than makes up for in presence. Affectionately called the "Queen of the Deadpan Stare," Bingo has carved out a unique and invaluable role in our therapeutic space.

When she’s not serving as her practitioner’s lumbar support during Zoom meetings or taste-testing food tributes before the other animals get a chance, Bingo is at her best—providing emotional regulation. Her true talent shines when supporting children in distress. Whether it’s a full-blown tantrum or a moment of deep fear, Bingo instinctively lies beside the child, offering a calm, grounding presence that gently leads them back to a place of emotional balance.

She pretends to dislike dressing up, but we suspect she secretly loves it. Her favourite costumes include a majestic unicorn outfit and a green turtleneck sweater that turns her into a rather convincing pickle.

Short legs and a touch of sass aside, Bingo is undeniably in charge. She brings a bold personality to every room she enters—and despite her ongoing rivalry with the therapeutic rats, we wouldn’t have her any other way.

CYNTHIA & EZMERALDA

Say hello to Cynthia and Ezmeralda—our very friendly stick insects with big personalities!

Cynthia is the chill one. She likes to hang out quietly and just watch the world go by. She’s super calm and loves to be gently held or observed while she does her slow, careful climbs.

Ezmeralda, on the other hand, is the party girl! She loves to wave her arms around and sometimes looks like she’s dancing—especially if someone near her is moving their hands. She’s great fun to watch and loves being part of the action.

These two are a great match—one slow and steady, the other curious and full of spark. Lots of kids find them funny, fascinating, or even a little bit magical.

If your young person is a fan of unusual creatures, they might really enjoy meeting these two! Just let us know at your intake appointment and we’ll introduce you.

Fun Facts

Q: Guess what Cynthia and Ezmeralda have in common with a koala?

A: They both eat gum leaves!

Q: Guess what Cynthia and Ezmeralda have to do with Star Wars?

A: They are both clones! When spiny leaf insects don't have another insect around of the opposite gender, they lay eggs that are clones of themselves. This is called parthenogenesis.

PEARL

The Bright Hearts rats have been winning hearts (and snacks) for nearly two years—and they're no ordinary rodents. These clever, confident little creatures have become beloved co-therapists, showing us all kinds of things about brains, behaviour, and connection.

Still picturing a scurrying street rat? We get it. But our fancy rats are a world away from the ones in cartoons and alleyways. They're gentle, social, and full of personality—each one building real bonds with the young people who visit us.

Pictured above is Pearl, our senior rat and unofficial clinic queen. She’s part trickster, part cuddle bug, part art critic—and she’s always up for a snack or a snuggle.

Our rats are curious, playful, sometimes cheeky, and always surprising. Some love trick training, and others just want to listen while you talk or snuggle into your arms. They bring joy and warmth in totally unexpected ways.

And yes, they’re ridiculously cute.

All of our therapy animals, including our rats, are cared for under thoughtful and rigorous standards to keep everyone—furry and human—safe, healthy, and happy.

IOLAS & CIRCE

Iolas and Circe are two treasured members of our Bright Hearts therapeutic team—and yes, they’re hermit crabs! These gentle, curious creatures often play a meaningful role in our small-world projective play sessions, where children create miniature environments and storylines to explore their inner worlds.

In these sessions, Iolas and Circe often become the centre of imaginative, symbolic play. Children might build tiny island homes, set up obstacle courses, or craft dramatic scenes in sand and water for the crabs to explore. As they do, they project feelings, experiences, and relationships onto the characters they create—sometimes giving voice to fears, hopes, or conflicts that may feel too big or confusing to express directly.

Watching and caring for Iolas and Circe also invites the child into a gentle, co-regulated state. The crabs move slowly and delicately, encouraging quiet attention and careful hands. Many children attune to the crabs' emotional state—tuning into their confidence or caution,  allowing them to mirror and rehearse empathy, patience, and nurturing through their interactions. It’s common to hear things like, “Let’s give Circe a cosy spot. She looks shy today,” or, “Iolas is brave—he can help the others find their way.” These spontaneous narratives offer powerful windows into the child’s inner emotional life.

Iolas is the more extroverted of the two—an eager explorer who loves investigating new scenes. Circe is more introverted and cautious, often taking her time before engaging. So cautious, in fact, that we’ve been gently encouraging her to consider moving into a bigger shell for weeks now! These personality differences give children language and metaphor to explore themes of bravery, vulnerability, change, and safety.

Their custom-built habitat is a therapeutic haven in itself—featuring a saltwater pool, a freshwater pool, a climbing gym, heated rest zones, and soft areas of sand and coconut peat. Every day, they enjoy a freshly prepared buffet of nutritious, crab-friendly foods.

In the world of Bright Hearts, Iolas and Circe are more than just companions—they are tiny, gentle facilitators of emotional expression, co-regulation, and imagination. They model slowness, sensitivity, and care, inviting children to experience the same. For many young clients, connecting with these humble little crabs becomes a quiet but powerful step on the journey toward empathy, safety, and emotional growth.