The Triangle Model: When the Practitioner Is Also the Therapy Dog Handler
Why Kate’s professional background and role as Murphy’s trained handler matter.
What is the Triangle model?
In a Triangle model, the practitioner and animal handler are the same person. The interaction brings together the participant, the practitioner-handler and the animal.
At Golden Bond, that means Kate supports the person while also facilitating Murphy's involvement and remaining responsible for his communication, comfort, safety and welfare.
How is the Diamond model different?
In a Diamond model, the roles are divided between a practitioner and a separate animal handler. The practitioner focuses primarily on the participant and their goals, while the handler focuses primarily on the animal.
Both models can be appropriate. The right structure depends on the setting, participants, goals, professional scope and welfare considerations.
Why Golden Bond can work differently
Kate is both Murphy's trained handler and a qualified mental health practitioner.
Combined with specialist Animal-Assisted Interaction training through Lead the Way Institute, this allows Kate to work within a Triangle model where appropriate: drawing on her professional skills while simultaneously facilitating and monitoring Murphy's involvement.
An interaction can therefore be intentional without automatically being clinical therapy. Depending on the person and purpose, activities may support confidence, emotional regulation, communication, social connection or engagement within Kate's qualifications and professional scope.
Murphy has a voice in the triangle, too.
Animal welfare is not secondary to the participant's experience. Kate continually observes Murphy's behaviour and communication and adjusts, pauses or ends interactions when needed.
A therapy dog is not a therapeutic tool to be used on demand. Murphy is an active participant whose preferences, boundaries and wellbeing matter.
Why does this matter?
Animal-assisted work is about more than having a friendly dog in the room. Good practice considers the person, the animal, the relationship between them, the purpose of the interaction, professional boundaries, and safety and welfare for everyone involved.
The dog creates the opportunity. The practitioner helps make the opportunity meaningful.
Golden Bond brings those pieces together through one consistent partnership: Kate and Murphy. Same faces. Every visit.
Related resources
Not sure which kind of visit fits?
Tell Kate about the person, group or setting. She can explain whether a relaxed wellbeing visit or more purposeful animal-assisted work may be appropriate within her professional scope.