Helping Children Heal Through Compassion and Connection
How Experience and Empathy Shape My Work
Animal Assisted Therapist | Qualified Teacher | Learning Mentor | Trauma Informed Education Advocate
Hello, I’m Catherine, an Animal Assisted Therapist, Qualified Teacher, and former Learning Mentor, passionate about trauma informed education that supports both children and the adults who care for them.
My journey began in schools, spending over a decade supporting children as a Learning Mentor and then as a Teacher. During that time, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma, and neurodiversity can have on a child’s ability to learn, feel safe, and truly thrive. I also saw how emotionally demanding this work can be for the adults around them (teachers, teaching assistants, family support workers) who are often expected to care, contain, and carry the weight of others, without always receiving the support they need themselves.
A personal experience shaped my path deeply: losing my mum to cancer when I was a child. That loss left a gap I struggled to fill, and it wasn’t until years later, when Lola, my golden cocker spaniel, came into my life, that I began to understand the healing power of connection and compassion.
Alongside my work with children, I am also deeply committed to the ethical care, welfare, and treatment of Therapy Dogs and School Dogs — ensuring they are supported, happy, and respected as valued partners in healing. I’m passionate about continuing to learn and grow in this work.
I bring together an academic background in Education Studies with ongoing learning in Therapeutic Safety in Trauma, Understanding Distressed Behaviour in Children, and Animal Welfare and Wellbeing through the AAAIP. This combination allows me to support children, the adults who walk alongside them, and the incredible animals I work with — all through informed, compassionate, and ethical practice.
Meet Lola
Therapy Dog | Award Finalist | Bridge Between Heart & Nervous System
Lola isn’t just a Therapy Dog, she’s a bridge between the heart and the nervous system. Through her intuitive presence, she helps people navigate grief, anxiety, and trauma in ways words often cannot.
She is a two-time finalist for prestigious awards recognising her therapy work in schools: the Animal Star Award 2025 and the National School Dog Alliance 2025. Lola has transformed the lives of many children and young people struggling with emotional and behavioural challenges.
Beyond providing comfort and support, Lola plays an important role in educating children about the ethical treatment of animals, teaching kindness, respect, and empathy that enrich their lives both in and out of school.
Trauma Informed Training | Animal Assisted Interventions | Wellbeing Workshops
At the All Is Well Approach, we combine trauma informed principles, Polyvagal Theory, and Animal Assisted Interventions to create nurturing environments where children and the adults who support them feel safe, connected, and empowered.
Through workshops, wellbeing sessions, and carefully designed resources, our mission is to help schools, families, and child-focused organisations strengthen wellbeing and resilience across their communities — one safe relationship at a time.
Our services include:
Trauma informed training and workshop sessions for school staff and child-focused professionals
Therapy Dog sessions tailored for emotional support and regulation
Wellbeing workshops that build practical skills rooted in relational neuroscience and co-regulation
I would love to connect and explore how we can support your school, organisation, or setting on this important journey.
What We Do
“Lola always makes me smile, even on the days I don’t feel like smiling.”
— A child who was working through a family breakdown.
Get started with All Is Well, today.
Do you want to bring trauma informed support to your school or setting?