Have you ever interacted with a therapy dog? If not, you’re in for a surprise! These dogs provide more than just companionship – they also offer a range of health benefits. From reducing anxiety to helping with physical rehabilitation, it’s clear that therapy dogs are a valuable resource. Keep reading to learn more about the surprising benefits of therapy dogs!
1. Mental Benefits
Therapy dog visitation for the elderly may improve their mental health significantly. Dogs naturally make people happy and comfort those who need them. Therapy dogs provide a more comfortable approach to interacting with many individuals who struggle to socialize or are lonely.
Dogs are also there to help you without making judgments and are unconditional in their affection. The effects of therapy dogs range from anxiety and stress reduction to increased self-esteem.
Using language to describe oneself is sometimes difficult for people who require memory assistance at times. They also provide a calming impact that allows people to temporarily break through the barrier of Alzheimer’s disease to form a special bond.
2. Physical Benefits
Canine therapy in residential aged care homes allows elders to participate in dog walking, which combines physical activity with a loving bond. Petting a therapy dog, for example, may relieve tension, regulate the cardiovascular system, and even reduce blood pressure.
Some people are motivated to leave their bedrooms and walk toward the fresh and amazing experience when a therapy dog appears. Activities such as playing and grooming might also benefit the maintenance of fine motor control and physical agility.
3. Emotional Benefits
Most senior citizens experience loneliness or sadness. One of the most amazing benefits of therapy dogs is their capacity to alleviate feelings of isolation and despair. Negative emotions are replaced by a valued companion’s love and affection.
It’s not unexpected that contact with therapy dogs helps seniors better grasp meditation. Generally, meditation entails focusing all your concentration on the current moment’s pure experience.
How Does It Work?
The goals of dog therapy might vary, and these will influence how it is implemented. Depending on the disease and the type of help required, the form of therapy and its objective may alter. The included are:
- Offering relief and lowering pain severity.
- Acquiring psychosocial and behavioral capabilities.
- Improving motivation for activities, including exercise and social interaction.
Additionally, the dog’s trainer, generally the owner, brings the pet to every session as part of the therapy process. The owner should work with the person to assist them in accomplishing their therapy objectives under the supervision of a doctor. Also, the dog and the owner should go through different qualifications with these agencies and organizations before being approved for therapy utilization.
Who Can Benefit From Therapy Dogs?
In persons with a variety of ailments, a therapy dog can considerably lessen pain, stress, sadness, and tiredness:
- Individuals who receive cancer treatments
- Dementia patients
- Anxiety patients
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects veterans
- People who have heart illness
People who are diagnosed with conditions aren’t the only ones who benefit. A therapy dog is also being implemented in non-medical situations to assist individuals in coping with stress and anxiety, such as in schools and outreach programs.
Service Dogs vs. Therapy Dogs
Service dogs are trained to carry out certain activities on their handlers’ behalf. They go through extensive, high-end, task-oriented training to assist their owners with impairments. In this manner, a service dog varies from a therapy dog. Although therapy dogs are allowed to work and socialize with a diverse group of individuals, service dogs are taught to assist a single disabled person.
Comfort dogs are often known as therapy dogs. They provide comfort and affection to a person’s emotional well-being. Also, they are expected to interact with a wide range of people and should have a cheerful and welcoming attitude. A therapy dog’s function varies from dog to dog and organization to organization. The examples are:
- Patients’ mental health is improved by interaction and engagement.
- Providing children with learning disabilities the courage to read aloud.
- Physical rehabilitation is aided by guiding patients through processes to help them regain particular physical skills.
What Are Emotional Support Animals?
Emotional support dogs are service animals responsible for contributing to and comforting their owner’s psychological health. Because they are commonly referred to as comfort dogs, an ESA requires a doctor’s prescription or mental health practitioner to be registered.
They don’t have to undergo the same intensive training as service dogs, but their function in bringing companionship and confidence to their owners is crucial. Emotional Support Animals, such as service dogs, are covered by the Federal Fair Housing Act, allowing owners to keep them in rental places that don’t normally allow pets.
What Dogs Make Good Therapy Dogs?
With some training, every friendly breed of dog might become a therapy dog. Generally, therapy dogs include golden retrievers, standard poodles, St. Bernards, and Labrador retrievers. Similarly, smaller breeds like micro poodles and Pomeranians are ideal candidates whenever the dog and the patient share a tiny area.
Before being recognized as therapy dogs, canines are trained and monitored for their sensitivity to stresses such as loud noises, being suddenly grasped, or even equipment, including canes or wheelchairs.
Are There Possible Risks?
While pet therapy may benefit some individuals, it may not be appropriate for everybody. Certain people are sensitive to the animals that are frequently used in therapy, and they are sometimes allergic to a dog’s shedding fur. Some may be scared of or uncomfortable around animals.
Conclusion
The benefits of therapy dogs are vast and varied, making them an excellent resource for people in different situations. Service dogs and therapy dogs provide different types of support, which is why it’s important to understand the difference between them. Dogs can offer emotional support, physical assistance, socialization opportunities, and more.
If you feel you could benefit from animal-assisted activities, contact us today.
