Saturday 27 October 2018

Therapy Dogs: 4 Facts You Should Know

By Robin Setser


It's been said that having a pet enriches the life of the owner, which couldn't be any closer to the truth. As a matter of fact, it's due to this increased quality of life that many people decide to adopt dogs, cats, and other animals that they can consider loyal, loving companions. What about therapy dogs, which offer the same benefit but in other realms of life? Here are 4 important facts about therapy dogs that shouldn't go overlooked.

When it comes to therapy dogs, the number of locations where they prove useful is practically limitless. Assisi Animal Health and other authorities on animal wellness can tell you that these canines can be used to help people across campuses, hospitals, and businesses in general. In fact, it's not uncommon for these animals to help students in college, especially when exams are taking place. This is one of the most common implementations associated with the canines in question.

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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