The Practice Calgary
330 - 5010 Richard Road SW T3E 6L1 Calgary, AB, Canada

And so begins the yearly discussion about who put the lights away last year. . . The good here is that untangling these stole my focus for a solid 45 minutes. No COVID, politics, or real problems. It was blissfully satisfying, that is, until my family decided that this year we’d decorate the tree by throwing the lights at the tree! .... . Seemed fitting. . . #family #christmas #2020 #thepracticecalgary See more

This one has been learning all about being a therapy assist pup. The therapeutic nature of animals is a given, but it is really amazing to watch Lila in action. After one particularly difficult trauma session she curled up in the client’s lap for some settling cuddles. No shortage of love and attention from this sweet girl. . . It’s a very difficult time in life, and no matter what it is going to hurt. Even though separation is needed, please don’t go through this alone. .... . Not a dog person? Not a problem, she’s happy to sleep it out in another room. And @cckc is always happy to chill with her. . . #covid_19 #therapy #dogsofinstagram #puppy #thepracticecalgary See more

Last day of school vibe around here. Trying to use humour to process that she’s going into another period of isolation from friends and on-line learning, while I try to navigate running a mental health and wellness service, take care of family, and take care of myself. . . I’m going to just slow down a little today, be ok with having work that doesn’t get done, meditate and go for a walk. Thankfully I start work at noon, so I have some space. Time has a way of pulling us thr...ough, so the sooner I connect to that the sooner I will know that even though it’s not clear to me right now, I know we will move through this. Settle in and respond instead of resist and react. . . Take care of yourself and your family. Check in on each other. Ask about mental health and coping. Ask your teens. So far teens are taking the brunt of the pandemic. Stressed parents, stressed teachers, and now isolation. We cannot protect them from this, but we can do our best to walk through it with them, lessen expectation, ask about their mental health, and make them a priority for our time and attention. . . #covid_19 #isolation #online #alberta #thepracticecalgary See more

I love the perspective of the road ahead. Wish it were that clear in life, but it’s not. It’s there though, there’s always a road ahead. . . Students facing academia in a pandemic, teachers, doctors, parents, and those whose employment status is threatened or changed without notice, we’re thinking about you. We’re advocating. We’re supporting. .... . Reach out to those around you. Ask How are you? And listen. Really listen. . . It’s ok to not be ok, but please don’t do it alone. Remember there’s a path. . . #yyc #covid_19 #mentalhealth #thepracticecalgary See more

Exactly what Sunday should be. We’ve been off social media for the last few weeks because we’re taking our own advice; step back and rest when you need it. Pandemic, Alberta gov, and Trump have taken over and it’s hard to access the it’s going to be alright mentality. So control what you can, and take care of yourself. It’s ok, and eventually this will pass. Until then please take time to rest, sit quietly, sleep, and connect to the things in life that make you smile. . . #puppy #selfcare #smile #thepracticecalgary

Stunning start to the weekend. I’m just going to use this as a reason to pause and be thankful for that. . . #snow #weekend #pause #thepracticecalgary

When you work in the same building as your family, and they can’t help but point out the mass of leaves that remain stuck to your car at the end of the day. . . Never forget the power of play. This provided a much needed laugh (once the fear of a citation passed). Now, I’m in scheming mode .... . #family #laugh #watchout #thepracticecalgary See more

First day on the job, our newest team member is taking full advantage of our wellness philosophy. . . Animals are amazing for calming and self-regulation, and love. Lila’s got a lot of growing and training ahead of her to be a Therapy Dog (if she’s well suited and happy with that) so for now we will let her dial up the sweetness here at The Practice. .... . #greaterswissmountaindog #wellness #puppy #therapy #thepracticecalgary See more

We all need someone in our lives that looks at us the way my nephew looks at the turkey. . . Cred: @karigrandoni .... . #family #thankful #nephew #thepracticecalgary See more

Avoidance and denial may not be great long term strategies, but forgetting all about the chaos for a moment is. Easy to be here, soak this all in, deep breath, and let everything go. . . #alberta #fall #breathe #dogsofinstagram #thepracticecalgary