A therapy dog is a dog that has been specially trained to show people affection, comfort, and support. They frequently work in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, hospices, schools, libraries, and other public places. Therapy dogs, unlike assistance dogs, are trained to interact with people other than their handlers.
Therapy dogs are frequently chosen as puppies based on testing for training receptivity and temperament. The breed of dog chosen should be appropriate for the task at hand, implying that therapy dogs should comfortably fit into the life of a therapist.
Types Of Therapy Dogs
1. Therapeutic visitation dogs
Therapeutic visitation dogs are the most common type of therapy dog. These dogs are typically house pets, and their owners will bring them to hospitals, nursing homes, or rehabilitation facilities to visit patients. These dogs are used to help patients’ mental health by socializing and encouraging them.
2. Animal-Assisted therapy dogs (AAT)
Dogs in this category are responsible for assisting patients in achieving specific goals toward their recovery. They assist patients in developing skills such as motor skills, limb use, and hand-eye coordination. They accomplish this by guiding patients through various activities and games designed to help them practice these skills. These dogs are typically housed in rehabilitation centers.
3. Facility therapy dogs
A facility therapy dog is the very last type of therapy dog. These dogs typically work alongside their handlers in nursing homes. They live on-site and assist patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive and mental illnesses.
How therapy dogs can boost your health?
There is evidence that therapy dogs can be effective for some mental health issues and psychiatric disorders. Individuals suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, autism, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Alzheimer’s disease benefit from interaction with therapy dogs and other companion animals.
Therapy dogs can also assist with physical health issues, which can lead to emotional difficulties. According to research, patients who participate in animal-assisted therapy while recovering from a difficult surgery or a bad accident may feel less pain. Such interactions increase the mood-boosting hormone oxytocin while decreasing the stress hormone cortisol.
Social Benefits
Students with therapy dogs have higher self-esteem and engage in more constructive interactions with peers and teachers. Furthermore, when animals were present during therapy sessions, children with autism demonstrated increased verbal abilities and social interaction when compared to traditional therapy sessions without them.
They help a person’s mental health by giving them attention and comfort. Their gentle demeanors and unconditional love may be therapeutic for those facing difficult health challenges. A therapy dog, on the other hand, can be enjoyed by anyone, unlike service dogs.
Conclusion
Patients may require less medication as a result of therapy dog interaction improving cardiovascular health. Personal pet visits and animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) can reduce pain, blood pressure, stress, depression, and anxiety in patients while also increasing mobility and socialization with staff and families. Petting animals also stimulates the release of hormones that can improve mood, specifically serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin. Occupational therapy patients have improved their fine motor skills by grooming therapy dogs.
