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Elizabeth Ruegg DSW, LCSW

About

Dr. Elizabeth Ruegg is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified animal-assisted psychotherapist in Port Richey, Florida.

She is a full-time faculty member in the MSW department at Saint Leo University, where she teaches psychopathology and other advanced practice classes to graduate-level social work students. Her doctoral work explored the mechanisms of effectiveness in canine-assisted psychotherapy, and her research interests are focused on leveraging the human-animal bond in psychotherapy.

She is a regular speaker on animal-assisted psychotherapy and has authored several articles and chapters about animal-assisted interventions and mental health. She maintains a small private counseling practice in west-central Florida, where she and her golden retriever therapy dogs help clients achieve their psychotherapy goals.

Recent Posts
Therapy Dog Shelby, handled by Debbie Smith
A New Approach for Kids Who Refuse Counseling

Are you struggling with a child who needs mental health care but refuses to participate? Animal-assisted psychotherapy might be just what you (both) need.

Are you struggling with a child who needs mental health care but refuses to participate? Animal-assisted psychotherapy might be just what you (both) need.

Train, Test, and Register Your Therapy Dog

Have you always wanted to know how to volunteer with your pup on a therapy dog team? Three steps will prepare you for the journey of a lifetime.

Have you always wanted to know how to volunteer with your pup on a therapy dog team? Three steps will prepare you for the journey of a lifetime.

What Makes a Good Therapy Dog?

Can’t wait to volunteer with your dog in animal-assisted activities? Make sure it’s his idea of a good time, too.

Can’t wait to volunteer with your dog in animal-assisted activities? Make sure it’s his idea of a good time, too.

Is Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy Right for You?

Animal-assisted psychotherapy involves activities like training, walking, and grooming a therapy dog to help clients achieve their treatment goals.

Animal-assisted psychotherapy involves activities like training, walking, and grooming a therapy dog to help clients achieve their treatment goals.

An Introduction to Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy

Jay was a troubled ten-year-old when he met Lucy, a golden retriever, in his animal-assisted psychotherapy session.

Jay was a troubled ten-year-old when he met Lucy, a golden retriever, in his animal-assisted psychotherapy session.