The Furry Co-Therapist

The Analytic Fourth: A New Framework for Canine-Assisted Therapy

"This article is a direct continuation of the introductory paper on the DiaDog approach, in which the patient's dog forms an inseparable part of the therapeutic process. Its purpose is to clarify the advantage of working specifically with the patient's own dog, as opposed to the common practice of working with the therapist's dog. The patient's dog — which I refer to as the 'Analytic Fourth' — is present in the patient's life at all times. This fact offers a significant advantage in internalizing the therapeutic process, and as a result, may also contribute to achieving outcomes in a relatively shorter time."