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. Scientific research has shown that there are many physical, psychological and emotional benefits of animal assisted therapy. Dogs are extremely receptive and responsive to a persons body language, emotion and energy which makes for a beautiful therapeutic bond, with absolutely no pressure or judgement attached.
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.
Staff Wellbeing – Caring for Those Who Care
A Holistic Approach to Staff Wellbeing
In today’s fast-paced world, workplace wellbeing is more than just a perk—it’s essential. At Mindful Paws, we understand that team members give so much of themselves every day to support those around them.
That’s why we’ve created bespoke Staff Wellbeing packages that nurture emotional resilience, ease stress, and help staff feel truly valued.
What We Offer - We currently work with both independent and mainstream schools,
providing tailored wellbeing support designed around your team’s unique needs. From group workshops to individual reflective sessions, we help cultivate a school environment where staff can pause, breathe, and reconnect—so they can continue to care wholeheartedly for others.
The Science Behind Wellbeing - Research shows that high stress levels and emotional fatigue don’t just affect individual health—they ripple through teams, impacting focus, creativity, and overall morale. Neuroscience highlights how chronic
stress changes the brain, diminishing our capacity for empathy and joy.
By addressing these pressures through compassionate, evidence-based approaches, we help staff restore balance and resilience.
A Holistic Approach – Our approach supports mind, body, and heart. Through mindful practices, therapeutic conversations, and, where appropriate, the gentle, grounding presence of animals, we create nurturing spaces that go beyond surface-level stress relief. We aim to foster deep, lasting wellbeing that staff carry with them long after each session ends.
Why It Matters – Staff wellbeing isn’t just about preventing burnout—it’s about creating a culture where people feel seen, supported, and equipped to meet the
demands of their roles with calm and confidence. When your staff feel well, they bring their best selves to the students and community they work within.
Ready to Support Those Who Care?
Get in touch to explore how our tailored wellbeing packages can strengthen your team, uplift your work community, and help every member of staff feel truly cared for.
Family Coaching with Mindful Paws
Every family has its ups and downs — moments of harmony and moments of challenge and disconnect , but it doesn't have to stay that way . Our role at Mindful Paws is to support you through the tricky bits, with kindness, clarity, and connection.
Our Family Coaching sessions are designed to support families in building stronger communication, emotional awareness, and resilience — with a little help from our gentle therapy dogs.
What is Family Coaching?
Family coaching offers a safe, non-judgemental space for families to explore what’s working — and what’s not — in their relationships and daily life. Together, we look at patterns, needs, and emotions, helping each family member feel heard and understood.
Whether you're facing sibling struggles, parenting pressures, emotional overwhelm, or just want to feel more connected as a unit, we’re here to walk alongside you.
Why include a therapy dog?
Therapy dogs offer calm, grounding energy — often becoming a bridge for communication. They help lower cortisol and raise oxytocin, their presence helps regulate your nervous system , and make sessions feel more approachable, especially for children and young people who may find it hard to talk.
Our Approach - At Mindful Paws, our approach is:
- Empathic and relational – we meet you where you are.
- Child- and parent-inclusive – every voice matters.
- Emotionally safe – with a focus on trust, regulation and connection.
- Solution-focused – helping you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Ready to reconnect?
If your family is feeling disconnected, stuck, or just in need of support, we’re here. You don’t have to figure it all out alone — let us help you build a more mindful, compassionate home.
Contact us to find out more or book an initial conversation.
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.
Classroom Companionship
At Mindful Paws, we’re passionate about the unique bond between children and animals. Our Classroom Companionship service brings this connection to life through carefully planned visits to schools and educational settings. Our trained dogs (and their experienced handlers) visit classrooms to offer calm, nurturing interactions that can support children’s emotional wellbeing, social skills, and overall engagement in learning. Whether it’s reading alongside a furry friend, enjoying gentle strokes during circle time, or simply sharing a quiet moment together, these visits create a sense of comfort and joy that’s hard to match.
Each session is tailored to the needs of the group, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to benefit from the presence of our wonderful canine companions. We work closely with teachers and staff to make sure our visits align with your classroom goals, be it to encourage confidence, reduce anxiety, or simply add a bit of magic to the school day.
If you’d like to explore how Classroom Companionship could support your pupils, please get in touch — we’d love to chat about bringing Mindful Paws into your school.
Testimonials
Safeguarding at Mindful Paws
At Mindful Paws, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults who take part in our sessions. We take our responsibility to protect everyone in our care very seriously.
Samantha Tompkins, owner of Mindful Paws, is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and has up-to-date safeguarding training. If you ever have any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult’s safety or well-being, please contact us immediately at info@mindful-paws.co.uk
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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