While most dogs are pets, there are also dogs that have other jobs, like therapy dogs. But what does a therapy dog do? Such dogs are trained to provide affection, comfort, and companionship to people who need it. This include retirement and nursing homes, hospitals, schools, hospices, disaster areas, as well as people with anxiety disorders and autism.
What are the advantages of interacting with dogs? Dogs love human contact, and there is no language barrier with a dog. A dog can have a calming and therapeutic effect that human contact cannot provide. Medical science has shown that interaction with a dog can reduce blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, and depression. It can also assist in physical healing and provide emotional support.
How can a therapy dog help someone? Just being with an animal can help a person to feel less lonely and depressed. Research has shown that interaction with a dog not only brings medical benefits like stress relief and lower blood pressure but also mental benefits like more confidence, a feeling of comfort and companionship.
Who is a good therapy dog? They are reliable, friendly, good natured and well-trained. When they are ready to go out, these dogs provide companionship and are patient and loving. A dog doesn’t judge, is a good listener, happy to simply spend time with someone. In short, a therapy dog is a friend to everyone.
What does such a therapy dog do to help people? Often it just sits quietly and listens to the person talking to it, or touching it. They are also very good with children and can help a child with learning problems, or teach children about caring for animals. And they have been successfully used as companions for autistic children. Therapy dogs can also be invited to visit a hospice or pediatric and oncology patients in a hospital.
How is a therapy dog different from a service or guide dog? Therapy dogs are only certified for therapeutic visits with the public. This means that they do not have the access to public places and the rights of service or guide dogs. A therapy dog registered with Therapy Dogs United, Inc., isn’t recognized by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA); and cannot be referred to as a Service, Guide, Emotional support, Medical Alert or Mobility Support Dog.
All these different ‘working’ dogs have a special role to play, and the therapy dog has a specific task in communicating with and supporting all kinds of individuals.