We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Snider and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
From the start of my career, Lola & I have been in systems such as schools, community mental health settings, and advocacy roles. These environments were where we wanted to be, but eventually we just kept seeing solutions be blocked by red tape or treatment approaches not being trauma informed. We really just wanted to help people how we wanted to and to have the freedom to do experiential modalities, push barriers to animal assisted interventions and authentically serve our clients. I always wanted to go into private practice and after trying it part time for a year, we dove into this full time and absolutely love it! We love the flexibility, but mostly how we can connect with our clients in a judgment free and authentic space that we have created.

What should our readers know about your business?
Lola & I are an Animal Assisted Therapy team that works with clients of all ages and backgrounds on lessening their mental health systems. We specialize in suicidality, anxiety, PTSD, grief and depression. We are very proud of our authentic and individualized approaches to mental health and helping each client how they want to be helped. We also perform ESA evaluations for our community, which we are very excited about! We started working in schools with middle and high school students and from there grew into private practice. We overcame many challenges to get to where we are now such as starting a business from the ground up, working with marketing, financing and management of our business. The hardest part for us is to create and maintain that work life balance. There are always clients we want to serve, but in order to give them are all we also need to take care of ourselves. Our brand is all about treating mental health symptoms authentically and meeting clients where they are at to achieve their therapeutic goals. We believe the human animal connection provides a space like no other and a level of support that allows us to dig deeper and create a brand that is healing and restorative.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Lola & I would definitely get them outside! Colorado is gorgeous and we would take them for a walk around Sloans lake, or up to evergreen for a quick hike. We also love breweries and would stop at Little Machine, Joyride or Odells. We are huge ice cream lovers so would definitely hit up Little Man and walk through the Highlands and Rino. When we have close friends in town, our main priority is time with them. So whatever fun outdoor adventures, concerts or activities we can do, we will!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Lola deserves every shout out! Lola is my therapy dog counterpart who serves my clients every day with love, authenticity and sass! She Licks away tears, eases anxieties and provides support to clients every day. Our business would not be what it is today without her!

I also have an incredible support system in my husband, family, and friends. They have been supporters since day one and it is so appreciated!

Website: https://www.lolaandmetherapyllc.com/

Instagram: Lola_and_me_therapy_llc

Linkedin: Hannah Snider

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