Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs are dogs that are specially trained to ease the pain, provide care and affection by uplifting the spirits and morale of people in hospitals, other types of healthcare centers and schools. Dogs are man's best friend so using the dogs to promote health and well being to the needy is helping people with medical conditions – this seems to bring out the innate nurturing capabilities of the wonderful animals.

Therapy Dogs International is a non-profit organization that aims to register, control and test therapy dogs and their handlers to bring joy and sense of companionship on the needy.  Dogs that are registered in this organization are personal pets of dog owners who want to help their fellow men out by providing aid and services to the people in need. This usually happens in a controlled environment.  The dogs do regular visitation to a number of needy people wanting to ease pain, stress, and even loneliness.

Therapy dogs come in different shape and sizes and all of them are trained to be friendly, gentle, and ready to react to all situations with confidence and ease.  Statistics have shown that regular visits from these therapy dogs have proven to lower blood pressure, uplift the spirits of the person they visit and have eased the effects of Alzheimer's disease among adults and seniors alike.  Some dogs are also trained to work especially with autistic children and persons with mental disabilities.

The children and elderly are the most visited because they seem to benefit the most from these visits. These are emotional attachments, stress relief, and reduced feelings of loneliness or isolation.  Therapy dogs are good for treating social and emotional difficulties as well as communication issues as well.

The right dog can help an individual increase his/her sense of well being because of the unconditional love they offer. Any dog lover will tell you that there is no one better to share your secrets with than your furry best friend.

Therapy dogs provide spiritual benefits as well, like relaxation and peace of mind. They dissipate negative thoughts and increase a sound spirit. Yorkshire terriers are one of the most popular breeds of choice for such a therapy. They are small in size and their temperament is friendly and loyal.  Other mild tempered big dogs play a different function but the concept works just the same.

Therapy dogs can be "therapeutic visitation dogs" and "animal assisted therapy dogs".  Therapeutic visitation dogs are used for visiting nursing homes, hospitals, long term health care facilities and schools. Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs are for people with any mental or physical illness.

Therapy dogs have been called the "four footed therapists" because they make people feel better by bringing smiles to ill or lonely people in many hospitals and assisted living homes. Scientific studies have shown that these dogs (and other animals) do have a calming and therapeutic effect on people both young and old alike.