The 4 Things To Know Regarding Therapy Dogs

By Robin Setser


Did you know that, by owning a pet, one's chances of developing long-term stress and depression are reduced? This is just one benefit, of course, but it speaks to the value of pets to those that adopt them. What about pets in other areas of life, though? This brings us to the topic of therapy dogs, which you may be familiar with from a general standpoint. For those that would like to learn more, you can start with these 4 facts.

First and foremost, therapy dogs are used in a number of locations. If there are individuals that learn, work, or reside in certain places, chances are that they experience difficulties at certain points in their lives. For example, if someone is going through rehab at a hospital, a therapy dog may be brought in to help elevate their mood and provide them with hope. This is just one of the many examples that the likes of Assisi Animal Health can detail.

Therapy dogs can help those with disabilities learn more effectively, too. It's been said that these animals provide comfort to those, especially children, with disabilities that make retaining information and completing tasks difficult. For instance, if a child is learning how to read aloud, having a dog in front of them can ease their mind. This makes learning a much simpler process for them and, depending on the material they're provided, more enjoyable to boot.

Therapy dogs have the uncanny ability to know when someone is struggling with a disability or disorder. Let's say that, for the sake of argument, that someone with depression experiences a panic attack. A trained therapy dog will be able to approach the individual and provide them with the care they need, no matter how minimal it might seem on the surface. Sometimes the most effective remedies are the simplest.

Fourth, and finally, therapy dogs exist across a number of breeds. What this means is that, regardless of size, practically any canine can be trained to help those that suffer from conditions including anxiety and PTSD. Of course, large and small breeds have their upsides and drawbacks, which means that research is necessary. The more that you learn about therapy dogs, in this sense, the better your chances will be of finding the perfect canine companion.




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