Fitzgerald William (left), a seven-year old basset hound, is demonstrating exceptional therapy dog behavior. He is calm, polite, and tolerant. He loves people of all ages and is comfortable around other dogs.
Fun fact: Fitzgerald was featured on the front page of the October 21, 2015 issue of the Wall Street Journal! Read the entire online story here.
Therapy dogs bring comfort, love, and animal companionship to people of all ages in a variety of settings. Therapy dogs can be any breed or size.
True therapy dogs are registered through a national registry such as the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (formerly Therapy Dogs, Incorporated).
Documented benefits of therapy dog visits include:
- Increased levels of serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin (feel-good hormones!)
- Decreased levels of cortisol (stress hormone)
- Reduced incidence of depression
- Reduced loneliness
- Reduced levels of pain (emotional, physical, and spiritual)
- Welcome change from routine
- Opportunity for life review
- Fill animal companionship needs
Dogs being considered for therapy dog work should be able to:
- Willingly initiate contact with unfamiliar people in unfamiliar environments
- Demonstrate good social skills and manners
- Function comfortably around medical equipment
- Respond reliably to cues in the midst of distractions
- Calmly accept demonstrative affection from unfamiliar people
- Remain well-controlled around other dogs
Handlers considering therapy dog work must:
- Enjoy being around people of all ages
- Be an excellent active listener
- Have the ability to communicate with different populations
- Have the ability to positively redirect a dog's inappropriate behavior
- Know the signs of stress/anxiety in a dog and how to relieve it promptly
- Follow strict confidentiality rules
- Praise a dog's good behavior (therapy dog work is stressful!)
Fun fact: Fitzgerald was featured on the front page of the October 21, 2015 issue of the Wall Street Journal! Read the entire online story here.
Therapy dogs bring comfort, love, and animal companionship to people of all ages in a variety of settings. Therapy dogs can be any breed or size.
True therapy dogs are registered through a national registry such as the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (formerly Therapy Dogs, Incorporated).
Documented benefits of therapy dog visits include:
- Increased levels of serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin (feel-good hormones!)
- Decreased levels of cortisol (stress hormone)
- Reduced incidence of depression
- Reduced loneliness
- Reduced levels of pain (emotional, physical, and spiritual)
- Welcome change from routine
- Opportunity for life review
- Fill animal companionship needs
Dogs being considered for therapy dog work should be able to:
- Willingly initiate contact with unfamiliar people in unfamiliar environments
- Demonstrate good social skills and manners
- Function comfortably around medical equipment
- Respond reliably to cues in the midst of distractions
- Calmly accept demonstrative affection from unfamiliar people
- Remain well-controlled around other dogs
Handlers considering therapy dog work must:
- Enjoy being around people of all ages
- Be an excellent active listener
- Have the ability to communicate with different populations
- Have the ability to positively redirect a dog's inappropriate behavior
- Know the signs of stress/anxiety in a dog and how to relieve it promptly
- Follow strict confidentiality rules
- Praise a dog's good behavior (therapy dog work is stressful!)