Dogs are amazing because they can serve as
companions and friends and can provide emotional support to people. Dogs are
very sensitive to the emotions of their owners and other people, and this makes
them very suitable to provide therapy to people who are going through difficult
times.
Dogs used for therapy are from various age
groups and breeds. A therapy dog has gone through training so that it can
comfort people who are in hospitals, in nursing homes, or even at school. These
dogs can also be used in animal-assisted therapy, to help people who have been
through trauma and to enhance their ability to cope. Therapy dogs should be
kept clean and be vaccinated, so that they do not transmit infections to
people.
Who Needs Therapy Dogs?
Therapy dogs can be used to comfort people who
are suffering from anxiety. Therapy dogs are also useful in hospice homes where
they provide emotional support for people who are on palliative care for
terminal diseases. Elderly people and those who suffer from dementia benefit
from friendly therapy dogs as well. And these dogs also help to provide
emotional support to people who are going through post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition, therapy dogs are helpful for people
suffering from fatigue due to chronic conditions like heart disease. They also
benefit people with psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder and autism.
Cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy also benefit from therapy
dogs. Therapy dogs can, therefore, be used in hospitals, schools, nursing
homes, retirement homes, and households.
What Are the Criteria for Getting a Therapy Dog?
The first step in the process of acquiring a
therapy dog is determining whether you will benefit from it. You should not
have a phobia of dogs when considering getting a therapy dog. A licensed mental
health professional will help you in getting the right documentation that will allow you to live with the therapy dog. The Fair
Housing Act allows you to live with a therapy dog in your apartment when you
have an ESA (emotional support animal) housing letter from a professional.
The ESA letter from a licensed mental health
professional restricts the landlord from charging you extra rent for staying
with the dog. You will, however, need to ensure that your therapy dog does not
cause any damages to the apartment because the ESA letter does not address
damages. A good therapy dog is one that is well trained and calm and can tolerate
other pets and people unfamiliar to the dog.
A therapy dog should also be healthy, clean, vaccinated, and dewormed. This will prevent the risk of disease transmission and allergies, especially if the dog will be around people with weak immunity. The dog's movement should be restricted to where it is needed, and you should ensure that you wash your hands every time you come in contact with the dog. Therapy dogs should also be toilet trained and should have regular health checks.
How Can You Benefit from a Therapy Dog?
Emotional Support
Therapy dogs have a strong bond with humans and
are very friendly. A therapy dog will provide you with the emotional support
that you need when you are struggling with anxiety, post-traumatic stress
disorder, and other chronic diseases. Staying with the therapy dog will
distract you from your worries and stress.
It has also been scientifically proven that
staying around pets like therapy
dogs causes your brain to release "good hormones," such
as serotonin and oxytocin, which lift your mood. Therapy dogs are also
empathetic and sympathetic and can know when you are not okay emotionally.
Therapy dogs will also help you to develop social and interpersonal skills.
A therapy dog can help to boost your self-esteem
and help you become more aware of your surroundings. These dogs can also help
you to focus on your schoolwork and enjoy reading by reducing your
anxiety. They keep you company, thus reducing boredom and loneliness.
Therapy dogs also improve your social-interaction skills and help you
communicate more confidently.
Bond
The bond that you create with the therapy dog
also helps your brain to release endorphins, which improve pleasure and make
you feel good. This can help to reduce the physical pain that you are going
through.
This bond also contributes to lowering blood
pressure, which is good for your heart. A therapy dog can also help you to
become physically active and therefore improve the movement of joints and
enhance recovery. If you are going through a tough situation or sickness, a
therapy dog might be just what you need to feel better.
A therapy dog is a trained dog that provides you
with emotional support when going through physical and mental issues. An
emotional support animal (ESA) letter from a licensed mental health
professional allows you to live with a therapy dog in your place without paying
extra money to the landlord. Therapy dogs are friendly and provide you with
comfort, while also helping you to develop literacy and social skills.
