“Dogs have a real potential impact on our capacity to flourish and sustain our capacity to flourish. It’s hard out there in the world and we need all the help we can get.”
In this episode of the Coaching Outdoors Podcast we are joined by another duo, but this time one of them has 4 paws and a shiny nose.
Meet Clive Leach, outdoor coach, positive psychologist and wellbeing hospital volunteer, and Miss May, his beautiful 3 year old Golden Doodle “Pets As Therapy” pup.
Clive shares with us the serendipitous events that lead to him welcoming May into their family and work, and how, in the last year, they have become “Pets as Therapy” hospital volunteers.
Clive shares some really heartfelt and truly inspiring stories about how he brings Miss May into his work outdoor coaching in organisations, and volunteering in hospitals and education settings.
Clive’s background and qualifications in Positive Psychology and Miss May’s amazing skills at bringing positivity and happiness to people’s lives, puts her in a perfect position to be called a #permapup (Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishments).
Spending time with dogs has the ability to help us become more present, to calm our mind, to boost our mood and to just… be.
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Our guest
Clive Leach is an international organisational coach who applies coaching and positive psychology within the corporate, public and education sectors to enhance wellbeing, mental toughness and performance. He has a particular interest in leadership and executive career transition coaching.
Clive is also a published author, speaker and visiting lecturer on masters level university programs. Over the last year or so Clive has extended his well-being practice to partner with his dog Miss May as Pets As Therapy Volunteers. Clive & Miss May currently work together on the Acute Stroke Ward at their local NHS hospital.
Miss May is a 3 year old Goldendoodle. She is very friendly and loves meeting people. May passed her visiting PAT Dog assessment in August 2021 and has since brought joy and wellbeing to people in care homes, children’s homes and hospitals. Her other favourite things are chasing rabbits (but never catching them!), carrying sticks, retrieving anything and going to the local coffee shop where she gets lots of attention!
Clive has written or contributed to a number of books over the lock down period which reflects his wider coaching work and practice:
“Positive Psychology Coaching in the Workplace” – Coaching for Wellbeing at Work and Positive Psych Coaching for Career Management & Transition
“Palgrave Handbook of Positive Education” – Approaches to Positive Education with emphasis on coaching
“Applied Positive School Psychology” – Self-efficacy development in education
