A counsellor’s best friend
Rainbow offers counselling on a wide range of topics, including drug and alcohol, mental health, ADHD, trauma and parenting. Call 0426 260 537 or find her on Facebook
Spawn the kelpie cross is a key part of ‘walk and talk’ sessions with Rainbow Shiva, the Illawarra Flame reports
It’s hard not to smile when an interview begins with the words, “Hello, Rainbow.”
“My official name is Tammy Rainbow-Glitter Shiva,” says the Fernhill local, who recently started a counselling business and has hair to match her colourful name.
“I changed it a few years ago because I got divorced and I didn’t want to go back to my maiden name. So I just made up a whole new name.”
At the same time, she decided to upskill and study counselling at the Australian College of Applied Professions (ACAP). “Once I qualified,
I got a job with a drug and alcohol service.”
After five years, Rainbow says it was “time to take the step” and launch her own business, Walk and Talk with Rainbow. To help with these counselling sessions, her three-year-old dog, Spawn, trots along (though if a client’s not comfortable around dogs then she stays home).
“Everyone’s named her the Love Dog,” Rainbow says. “She’s a kelpie cross border collie. She does have a lot of energy, but she also loves to just be patted. Clients love it because we go for a walk and they throw the ball for her, then towards the end of the session, we sit down and they can have cuddles.”
It’s a business model inspired by a lifetime in pet-friendly Wollongong, with its network of off-leash beaches and dog parks.
“I’m a local. I was born in Wollongong Hospital, grew up in Keiraville and I love going to the beach with my dog,” Rainbow says.
“When I first started the counselling journey, I always had it in my mind I’d really like to do ‘walk and talk’, on the beach or in the park or somewhere it’s relatively quiet.”
Rainbow finds this helps people open up.
“It gets people out into nature. It is quite a calming experience. Walking and pet therapy combined helps somebody decrease anxiety and stress, increase feelings of social support and it provides motivation, stimulation and focus.”
Rainbow offers counselling on a wide range of topics, including drug and alcohol, mental health, ADHD, trauma and parenting. Call 0426 260 537 or find her on Facebook.
