What Is All the Hype About Therapy Dogs?

 I can understand how therapy dogs could be useful in nursing homes, because the elderly possibly may not receive many visitors. It is sad that this happens, but once the elderly are in the nursing home, family members sometimes seemingly forget them or no longer have time to see about them. The elderly possibly my get very lonely for lack of seeing family members. Therapy dogs in the hospital can possible encourage and foster joy, laughter, and feeling good about one's self. Even though one might be in a stressful situation or predicament, the peace that a therapy dog can help provide can be immeasurable.

                                                                Emotional Support Dog 

1. Do You Need a Therapy Dog?

If you think that you might need a therapy dog, you might ask yourself a few questions:

a. Do you have a mental disorder such as bipolar, cognitive disorder, attention deficit disorder, or learning disorder?

b. Do you experience emotional disability?

2. Types of Support Dogs

Did you know that there are 3 types of support dogs? According to the United States Dog Registry there is a service dog, emotional support dog, and therapy dog. The service dog might be helpful to someone with mobility issues, visual impairment, or autism. The emotional support dog can help and comfort someone that has anxiety, depression, or bipolar/mood disorder. The therapy dog will be used in the hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities to comfort individuals.

3. Therapy Dog

It is important to note that according to the American Kennel Club a therapy dog should be even-tempered and enjoy being petted. This is important because dogs have different personalities and not all are people friendly. I recalled a particular dog that we had would growl and not allow my children near him while eating his food. Therapy dogs can help people with loneliness. This is definitely a pet therapy benefit. A dog seemingly offers "unconditional love." Some dogs are just very social and they make good therapy dogs. A dog's temperament and behavior should be taken into consideration to be considered for dog therapy.

4. Therapy Dogs in the Hospital

I knew about therapy dogs in the nursing home, but was not aware of therapy dogs in the hospital. According to hub. Education. Org., when a therapy dog just sits on the patient’s lap, the dog may provide a calming effect shown to improve mood and pain ratings.

5. Therapy Dogs on College Campus

According to NBC25 news, the University of Michigan-Flint is allowing students to meet at the library campus and Student Veterans center to pet the therapy dogs. This is beneficial in helping with stress during final exams.

Note:

I have known those that have recovered from addictions and they kept a pet as therapy for themselves.

There is something therapeutic about hugging or stroking a dog. That physical contact can be very soothing and pleasurable.

Dog therapy produces a human bonding between the pet and the person. This emotional bonding sometimes can be key to helping another while recovering from a stressful situation.

Volunteers that volunteer their dogs for pet therapy should be applauded. This is a great way to give back to the community.

Do you possibly have a dog that might be a good therapy dog?

Photo Caption:

Wikipedia. Org., Public Domain

Source:

United States Dog Registry 

American Kennel Club

Therapy dogs may unlock health benefits for patients in hospital ICUs

U-M Flint students pet their stress away

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