Choosing Suitable Therapy Dogs: Which Four-Legged Friends Are Best?

Therapy dogs, unlike assistance dogs, are not specifically trained to work with a specific patient. Together with their owners, they work as a team to help heal several people and improve their emotional wellbeing, all in the context of animal-assisted medicine. Learn which dogs are the best for this, and what they must do.

Therapy dogs can be used to help people who suffer from mild to moderate anxiety or depression. Children with learning disabilities can benefit from therapy dogs, such as occupational therapy. Therapy dogs do not have special rights, such as when flying on an aircraft, unlike assistance dogs. The animals are not the property of the patient, but rather the therapist.

What are therapy dogs?

Therapy dogs work with professional therapists and educators to assist people with mental and neurological illnesses as well as adults and children with learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities. Animal-assisted therapies are a form of therapy where the dog is used to complement and enhance the treatment but not replace it. Contact, communication, and meeting with dogs, can reduce blood pressure, and stress. Four-legged companions do not criticize, they do not expect people to be perfect, and they accept everyone for who they are.

They can sense emotions and moods without judging or offering well-intentioned advice. They convey warmth, safety, and compassion in this way. When we stroke our dogs, we also release the “cuddle-hormone” oxytocin. They are completely unbiased and make contact with humans, play with them, and show them love. This can be a powerful tool to help the therapy succeed.

Nevertheless, animal companions must always be comfortable for their therapists. There are regulations for example, the “working hours” that the animals can work. Therapy dogs, for example, are only permitted to accompany a 45-minute individual therapy session, three days per week. Under certain circumstances, exceptions can be made. Four-legged companions do not reside permanently in an institution, but rather with their human partners at home.

Therapy dogs: requirements

Therapy dogs should not be insecure or fearful, and they must also show no territorial aggression. Character-wise, calm animals that are patient, peaceful, and stable are ideal. Social skills and a friendly, trusting personality are also essential. It is advantageous to have a sensitive and empathetic nature, but they also need to be able resist stress or unrest. Patients should not pet sick or in pain animals, because they could react unpredictably or aggressively.

The training for a dog to be a therapy animal should start when it is a pup. However, the best time to introduce the dog as a dog in this role is at least one year of age. The dog should be able to get along and like both other animals and strangers. The dog must not jump, pull the leash, or behave badly in any other way. He must be able to listen to his owner, and not get disturbed by noises, smells or other impressions.

In addition, there are certain hygienic standards that must be met. The dogs should be cleaned before every use, and they must come in to be regularly checked by a vet. It includes the general health of the dog, any parasite infestations and fecal exams. Vaccinations must also be kept up-to-date.

What dog breeds are better than others for certain situations?

All dog breeds, including mixed breeds, can be trained and used as therapy animals. It is important that there is a good bond between owner and dog. There are still some breeds which are better suited than others. These are usually dogs that were bred for close human interaction.

Companion dogs, such as the Maltese or Poodle are friendly, calm and people-oriented. Working dogs, herding dogs and other working dogs like the German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, or Australian Shepherd enjoy working with humans and are loyal and obedient if properly trained. St. Bernards are calm and stoic, as well as Leonbergers or Newfoundlands. Some hunting dogs, like the Labrador, Golden Retriever, or Beagle with their “will to please” are good therapy animals with proper socialization.

The size of the dog you select for animal assisted therapy will depend on where it is used. The larger dogs are better suited to working with adolescents and children, while the smaller dogs are best suited for elderly people, since they can snuggle on your lap.