Sunday, October 28, 2018

The 4 Things To Know Regarding Therapy Dogs

By Robin Setser


There is a litany of health benefits that come with pet ownership. Not only do they help teach us responsibility, for example, but these animals can reduce the depression and stress we might have experienced otherwise. With this in mind, the benefits of the animals in question are much more numerous. This brings us to the topic of therapy dogs and here are 4 things that everyone should know about these trusted canines.

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.

Third, therapy dogs are intuitive, knowing when someone is experiencing a problem, whether it's emotional, mental, or what have you. If someone with PTSD suffers a panic attack, it can be difficult for them to calm down. This is where a therapy dog can prove useful, as they will be able to reduce the stress that the individual with PTSD may be experiencing. Slowly but surely, said individual will become calm. These canines can help with other disorders as well, anxiety and depression being a few other examples.

Therapy dogs come in different breeds as well, meaning that virtually any breed has the capacity to help those in the mental sense. Of course, there are pros and cons to consider. Smaller breeds, for example, are more compact but tend to be more hyperactive. Larger breeds are comparatively less compact but are usually calmer. These are just a few details to consider, so it's in your best interest to do research if you plan on adopting a dog.




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