Shea & Lotee
In-person therapy with Lindsay Nelson presents the option for clients to include Shea and/or Lotee in their sessions. Shea and Lotee are Cavapoo, which is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle. At 16 pounds each, they do not shed and are considered hypoallergenic.
Shea and Lotee take their role very seriously, and "work” is somewhere they get very excited to go. While it may seem silly, and it surely is fun, they always are fitted in clothing while at the office, which distinguishes for them they are on the job. At home, they do not wear clothing - unless it is a Vikings game day, when they proudly wear their purple and gold jerseys.
If you’d prefer your therapy session without Shea & Lotee, they are happy to take the hour off in their private crate. (You likely won’t even know they are there!)
Shea usually greets clients after waiting for their arrival sitting by the window looking into the hall. He eagerly says hello in the waiting room and ushers clients into Lindsay’s office. Lotee typically waits to say hello and remains on the couch. After greeting, Shea and Lotee may choose to sit next to clients, return to their bed to take a snooze, or lay in their crate.
“Studies suggest that the presence of dogs during psychotherapy can aid in decreasing self-reported anxious arousal and distress for patients who have experienced trauma, making the therapeutic treatment process more effective”
