It turns out dog training isn't just good for the dog, but it can be used as a way to practice mindfulness and reap the rewards, Therapy Dogs NSW owner and social worker Karen Clark-Dickson said.

"Mindfulness is about living in the now and meditation is a form of that," she said.

"It's about being present in the moment, so when we are working with the dogs you have to be present to know what the dog is doing, give it commands and connect with the dog.

"Often people who are anxious live in the future or the past, so the mindfulness makes them be in the moment and that decreases anxiety."

The course isn't for people with assistance dogs, it's about helping people cope with anxiety by working with any pet, and no matter how old - they can be taught new tricks.

Ms Clark-Dickson works as a counsellor and sexual assault counsellor, and has seen the way anxiety can limit people's lives.

At her own practice she works with a therapy dog.

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Ms Clark-Dickson said she has seen the benefits first-hand with clients at her own practice that have suffered from anxiety.

"I'm currently doing a program with Aboriginal people doing the same thing, getting them to train their dogs to mitigate the effects of depression and anxiety, and it has been successful," she said.

"Now I would like to offer it to the broader population."

Age is no barrier to take part in the program as long as children have their parents there.

The program takes place at Ms Clark-Dickson's property at Timbumburi, for more information visit Therapy Dogs NSW or phone 0498 365 751.

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