Sparky is a 9-year-old cairn terrier. He helps children feel comfortable and relaxed in the therapy setting. There is much evidence that canine-assisted therapy helps a child build trust and more readily access their feelings and emotions. This type of therapy can provide feedback which helps a child regulate feeling and emotion.

For example, if a child becomes dis-regulated in treatment, Sparky will want to leave the room. This results in a child being motivated to behave in adaptive ways in order to have Sparky return. The child can learn ways of applying such abilities to his/her day-to-day life.