Mindful Paws
Therapeutic Coaching, Mentorship & Transformational Canine Assisted Therapy In Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire
Experience the power of canine companionship for clarity & connection
In a world that moves too fast, Mindful Paws offers a space to slow down, reconnect, and heal. Through transformational coaching, mentorship, and canine-assisted therapy, we support young people and adults who struggle with traditional settings, providing a pressure-free, nurturing environment where change happens naturally.
When conventional approaches haven’t worked for you, we do things differently—inviting you to breathe, move, and rediscover yourself, with the quiet presence of a therapy dog by your side.
About Mindful Paws
Co-Regulation, Connection & Growth
At Mindful Paws, we believe in the power of co-regulation—the natural, intuitive connection between humans and animals that fosters emotional balance, trust, and healing.
Founded by Samantha Tompkins, a Certified Coach and Animal Assisted therapist with over 10 years of experience with young people in outdoor alternative education settings, our work is designed for those who have felt disconnected from themselves, their community, or traditional support systems.
Our approach is gentle, flexible, and client-led, allowing you to move at your own pace, rediscovering both your internal and external worlds in a way that feels safe and empowering.
Whether we’re walking side by side, working with therapy dogs, or co-creating a unique programme tailored to you, our aim is always to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel heard, valued, and empowered.
Our Affiliations
What We Offer
Leave your troubles in the hedgerow, as we walk and talk.
Some thoughts are easier to express while moving, breathing, and feeling the earth beneath your feet. Our Walk & Talk sessions offer an alternative to traditional therapy, allowing you to process emotions in a way that feels natural and free from pressure.
Whether you need to talk, reflect, or simply walk in shared silence, these sessions create a calming space to unravel your thoughts and find clarity.
A loyal companion on your path back to you.
Not everyone fits within the traditional structures of education, work, or therapy. Our bespoke mentorship programme is designed for individuals who feel disconnected—whether from education, employment, relationships, or themselves.
Through gentle encouragement, practical guidance, and canine-assisted support, we create a tailored journey that helps you rediscover purpose, confidence, and connection in both your inner world and the world around you.
For those moving from one stage of life to another. Rebuilding Trust, Confidence and Connection.
Change can be overwhelming—whether you’re leaving school, moving from care into independent living, starting a new job, or adjusting to a major life transition.
Our Transition Packages provide emotional and practical support, ensuring a smoother and more empowered shift into a new phase of life.
For those who need a pressure-free, self-led space.
Our canine-assisted sessions are completely client-led, allowing you to set the pace and co-create the experience. This non-traditional, pressure-free approach helps clients build confidence, self-expression, and emotional resilience in their own time.
A Unique Blend of Transformational Coaching, Nature, and Canine-Assisted Therapy
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, directionless, or disconnected. Whether you’re facing a major life transition, struggling with self-doubt, or simply feeling stuck, our 1:1 coaching sessions offer a space to pause, reflect, and move forward with clarity and confidence.
At Mindful Paws, we take a refreshing, pressure-free approach—combining transformational coaching with the calming presence of nature and animals. Unlike traditional therapeutic approaches, we work beyond four walls, integrating movement, fresh air, and the gentle co-regulation of working alongside a therapy dog.
✔ You feel stuck and unsure of your next steps in life.
✔ You want to rebuild confidence, resilience, and self-belief.
✔ You struggle to express emotions in a traditional therapy setting.
✔ You’re navigating a life change—career shifts, relationships, or personal growth.
✔ You feel disconnected and want to rediscover purpose and direction.
What to Expect from Our Coaching Sessions
Personalised Support – Every session is tailored to you, at your pace. Whether you prefer walking side by side, sitting in nature, or engaging in canine-assisted reflection, the approach is designed around what makes you feel most comfortable.
Canine-Assisted Co-Regulation – Dogs have a unique ability to calm the nervous system, helping you feel grounded, safe, and open to reflection. Their non-judgmental presence makes deep conversations feel more natural and less overwhelming.
Walk & Talk Therapy – Movement helps unlock thoughts and emotions. Walking alongside a coach allows for deeper processing, reduced pressure, and a fresh perspective on challenges.
Transformational Coaching Techniques – You’ll gain tools to shift limiting beliefs, develop self-awareness, and take empowered action. Sessions may include visualisation, mindset coaching, breathwork, and reflective exercises.
A Non-Judgmental, Supportive Space – There is no expectation, no pressure, and no “fixing”—just a compassionate space to explore, express, and grow.
Are you ready to rediscover yourself and move forward with clarity? Let’s take the first step—side by side on the path to change.
Pet Bereavement Support – Navigating Loss with Compassion
Honouring the Bond, Healing the Heart
Losing a beloved pet is more than just saying goodbye—it’s a profound and deeply personal grief.
At Mindful Paws, we understand that the human-animal bond runs deep, and when that connection is lost, it can feel like losing a piece of yourself.
Our Pet Bereavement Support offers a safe, compassionate space for those struggling with the emotional weight of pet loss. Whether you’re experiencing anticipatory grief, recent loss, or unresolved emotions from a past goodbye, we provide gentle guidance and support to help you process and heal.
What to Expect from Our Sessions
A Safe & Understanding Space – Grief is complex, and healing is not linear. Our sessions provide a judgment-free space to honour your emotions and explore your loss at your own pace.
The Healing Power of Animal Connection – Even in loss, the bond with our pets remains. Through reflective exercises, guided conversations, and therapeutic techniques, we help you navigate your grief while cherishing the love that remains.
Gentle, Client-Led Conversations – Whether you need to talk, remember, or simply sit in quiet reflection, our sessions are led by your needs and emotions, ensuring a pressure-free experience.
Transforming Grief into Healing – While loss is painful, it can also be a gateway to deeper understanding, acceptance, and connection. Our support helps you move forward while honouring your pet’s memory in a meaningful way.
Who We Work With
At Mindful Paws, we collaborate with individuals, schools, families, SEND teams, and local authorities to support young people who struggle within traditional education settings.
Our specialist interventions provide an alternative, therapeutic approach to mental health support, engagement, and transition planning for students with:
✔ Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
✔ Autism & ADHD
✔ Anxiety, trauma, and attachment difficulties
✔ School refusal & disengagement from education
✔ Children Looked After (CLA) and Care Leavers
How Schools & Local Authorities Can Work With Us
✔ Referrals for individual students – funded through EHCP, Alternative Provision budgets, or pupil premium.
✔ Partnership programmes with schools – integrating canine-assisted mentoring into pastoral care.
✔ Transition support for care leavers & CLA – preparing for independence and life beyond education.
We understand the complex challenges faced by vulnerable young people and work closely with SENCOs, social workers, and virtual schools to create tailored, evidence-based support plans.
Our walk-and-talk sessions, mentorship, and canine-assisted therapy create a pressure-free environment where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered.
Testimonials
Get in touch
Location – Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
✔ Certified Coach & Animal Assisted Therapist with 10+ years of experience.
✔ A unique, pressure-free alternative to traditional therapeutic offerings.
✔ The healing power of dogs, nature, and movement combined.
✔ Tailored, client-led support—at a pace that works for you.
© Mindful Paws
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