How one therapy dog is quietly changing the experience of healing at Lake Ave Recovery

At Lake Ave Recovery, we believe recovery is about more than clinical care. Healing is about connection, compassion, and the kind of presence that reminds you that you are not alone. That’s exactly what Sammy brings to the room.

Sammy is a 12-year-old golden retriever who has been visiting our facility alongside her owner, Nina Cerviatti, a therapist dedicated to supporting people in addiction recovery. From the moment Sammy first walked into a group setting, something remarkable happened — without training or prompting, she moved toward the people who needed her most. A quiet sit beside someone struggling. A gentle nudge. A head resting on a knee.

It was instinct. And it was exactly what recovery sometimes looks like.

A Dog Named After a Survivor

Sammy’s name carries meaning. She was the smallest of her litter, unlikely to become a show dog, easy to overlook. But Nina and her partner Jack saw something in her: grit. Resilience. The kind of quiet strength that doesn’t announce itself. They named her after someone in addiction recovery, as a tribute to the courage it takes to rebuild a life.

That spirit has followed Sammy into every session she’s been a part of.

What Animal-Assisted Therapy Can Do

Sammy’s presence at Lake Ave Recovery reflects something we deeply believe in: that healing happens in relationship. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a clinically supported approach that incorporates trained animals into the therapeutic process, and the research behind it is compelling.

For people in addiction recovery, AAT can help by:

• Reducing anxiety and stress — Interacting with animals has been shown to lower cortisol levels and promote calm
• Building emotional connection — Animals offer unconditional presence, which can be deeply healing for those who have experienced shame, isolation, or broken relationships
• Supporting trauma processing — The non-judgmental nature of animals creates a safe environment where walls come down more naturally
• Encouraging responsibility and routine — Caring for or interacting with animals fosters a sense of purpose that supports recovery

Sammy doesn’t ask questions. She doesn’t hold your past against you. She simply shows up — and sometimes, that’s the most powerful thing.

Getting to Know Sammy

Sammy has her preferences. She loves squeaky toys (elephants, snakes, and alligators, specifically) and takes fetch on her own terms — she’ll chase the ball, but retrieving it back to you is entirely optional. With children, she’s playful and patient. In group settings, she reads the room with an intuition that continues to surprise even those who know her best.

These days, arthritis has slowed her a little, but her spirit hasn’t dimmed. Nina recently shared that after starting her on medication, she could see Sammy’s strength returning — and her joy in movement coming back. That arc of struggle, treatment, and renewed vitality feels very familiar to the people Sammy sits with each day.

Find Healing With Animal-Assisted Therapy at Lake Ave Recovery

At Lake Ave Recovery, we integrate evidence-based treatment with a genuine understanding of the whole person. That means honoring not just the clinical needs of our clients, but the emotional and relational ones too.

Sammy is one small, golden example of that philosophy in action.

If you or someone you love is exploring addiction treatment in Worcester, Massachusetts, we’d love to talk. Recovery is possible.

Call us now at 508-794-4400 or verify your insurance now.