Therapy Dogs

It often feels like our pet dogs have therapeutic or healing like properties. They make us smile when we come home after a hard day and cheer us up when we’re feeling blue.

These qualities have been harnessed in hospitals, hospices and care homes through the use of Therapy Dogs. Together with their owners, these dogs visit the sick and the elderly to offer some relief and comfort to people who would otherwise not be able to have contact with pets (even their own). These therapy dogs could spend five minutes or half an hour with a patient or resident.

Staff in such centres have reported that patients feel calmer and more relaxed after a visit from a therapy dog. Some have even said patients have required less medication immediately after a visit (though this is anecdotal and there has not been a lot of scientific research into this phenomenon).

Can you choose a dog breed to be a good therapy dog?

There are many dog breeds that make excellent therapy dogs. Some dog breeds are better suited than others; those with a naturally friendly character like retrievers, for example. Many small dog breeds are well suited to being therapy dogs as they are good for sitting on laps. Of course not all small dogs will be suitable.

The breed of dog is not as important as the temperament of the dog as to whether they will make a good therapy dog. The dog must enjoy the company of strangers and being petted, a lot! The dog must be happy going to new places where there are lots of people.

Many dog breeds make great therapy dogs. These dogs and their owners do their good work as volunteers. It must be very rewarding for the owners and the people they help.