National Therapy Animal Day

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Today is National Therapy Animal Day created by Pet Partners to recognize all of the exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human companions to bring comfort and healing to those in need. Therapy animals and their handlers can be found helping people of all ages in a variety of settings including hospitals, pediatric care units, schools, and assisted living facilities.

At Stokeshire, we’re dedicated to breeding, raising, and training Therapy-Grade Doodles through sourcing tried and true bloodlines and breeds for our breeding team, known for being calm and highly trainable, using ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation), & hands-on training. Our puppies are handled by children ages 2-16 and two passionate adults for up to 20 weeks after birth pending Doodle School with our trainer Jena Zenner.

Our dream is to have one of our Stokeshire Doodles in every school district in Wisconsin and in every Children’s Museum and care facility or hospital where we believe dogs could be a aid to those in need.

There are many reason why dogs are called humans' best friends: not only do they offer unparalleled companionship, but a growing body of research shows they also boost human health. Owning a dog can prompt you to be more physically active — have leash, will walk. It can also:

  • help you be calmer, more mindful, and more present in your life

  • make kids more active, secure, and responsible

  • improve the lives of older individuals

  • make you more social and less isolated

Source:

Tufts Paws for People is a non-profit organization in New England associated with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and supported by the Center for Animals and Public Policy. Tufts Paws for People is a Community Partner of the Pet Partners® organization.

Tufts Paws for People provides education, evaluation, and mentorship for individuals looking to visit with their pet. We also provide assistance to facilities looking to start an animal visitation program, and our teams work in a variety of environments to provide safe and effective animal visitation.

In a Peer Review of the Research: Are Therapy Dogs in Classrooms Beneficial published by Jerri J. Kropp, Ph.D, CCLS, of Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, Associate Professor, School of Human Ecology and Mikaela M. Shupp, BBA, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia (alumna), Academic Advisor, College of Business, they discovered three categories of therapeutic benefit of having dogs in the classroom:

  • increased reading and language skills,

  • social, emotional, and humane gains, and

  • improved gross motor skills.

Numerous studies have found that literacy skills can be improved from reading to dogs and that children gain confidence in reading and report an increased love of reading (Fine 2015). Therapy dogs can also provide stability and comfort to children who are living in poverty or abusive homes. Caring for a classroom animal teaches responsibility, builds confidence, and gives children a sense of pride and accomplishment. Source:

Overall, Dogs in the classroom provide both physical and emotional health benefits for students. According to one study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), having a dog present in the classroom promotes a positive mood and provides significant anti-stress effects on the body. In fact, the simple act of petting a dog has the effect of lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Pet therapy also lowers stress hormones, like cortisol, and increases oxytocin. In other words, just being in contact with a therapy dog calms kids down when they’re upset and helps keep their anxiety at bay. And reducing feelings of anxiety and depression enables them to focus on learning.

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Goals of National Therapy Animal Day

  • Recognize and honor therapy animals.

  • Raise awareness and educate the public about the role therapy animals play in enhancing the health and well-being of humans.

  • Honor the thousands of dedicated handlers (the human members of therapy animal teams) who volunteer their time and compassion during visits.


 #NationalTherapyAnimalDay
 #PetPartners


WHAT IS A THERAPY OR SERVICE DOG? 

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A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide affection, comfort, and support to people, often in settings such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, libraries, hospices, or disaster areas. In contrast to assistance dogs, which are trained to assist specific patients with their day-to-day physical needs, therapy dogs are trained to interact with all kinds of people, not just their handlers.

Therapy dogs need to have a calm and gentle disposition. They must be good around other dogs, calm when strangers pet them all over, not jump on others, walk on a leash without pulling, and not be startled by things such as strange noises, smells, and medical equipment. The role of therapy dogs is to react and respond to people and their environment, under the guidance and direction of their owner. For example, an individual might be encouraged to gently pat or talk to a dog to teach sensitive touch and help them be calm. Research suggests using therapy dogs in response to traumatic events can help reduce symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. The human-animal bond can impact people and animals in positive ways. Research shows therapy dogs can reduce stress physiologically (cortisol levels) and increase attachment responses that trigger oxytocin – a hormone that increases trust in humans.

AKC THERAPY DOG PROGRAM

“THERAPY DOGS HAVE BEEN CALLED ‘MIRACLE WORKERS’ BECAUSE OF THEIR CALMING EFFECT ON STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.”

— ALLIANCE OF THERAPY DOGS

Dogs also react positively to animal-assisted activities. In response to the human-animal bond, dogs produce oxytocin and decrease their cortisol levels when connecting with their owner. Often dogs feel the same when engaging in animal assisted activities as if they were at home, depending on the environmental context.

Therapy dogs have been visiting hospitals, hospice centers, disaster areas, and even schools and universities to promote emotional support. Wherever there is stress and emotional support is needed, therapy dogs can go there and provide assistance. There has been an increase in the frequency of therapy dog visits to regular schools in recent years. This is due to the confirmed emotional support that they can give to students who are academically stressed or emotionally damaged due to bullying. Dogs can even promote better communication in some cases because their attention is undivided. Research shows that the inclusion of therapy dog teams in classroom settings has a beneficial effect on student learning, self-esteem, and concentration (Kirnan, 2016).

Animal-assisted therapy can:

More recently, therapy dogs are being used as a form of engagement with students at school and university. Therapy dogs have been active in schools for some time. Teachers and administrators have witnessed the effects therapy dogs have on students and themselves. A recent report highlighted children working with therapy dogs experienced increased motivation for learning, resulting in improved outcomes.

Therapy dogs are being used to support children with social and emotional learning needs, which in turn can assist with literacy development.

Research into the effects of therapy dogs in schools is showing a range of benefits including:

TRAITS OF GOOD SERVICE DOGS

Although good service dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds, most of the best exhibit a few common traits. This includes:

  • Intelligence: Pet dogs needn’t be especially smart – it doesn’t take a lot of intelligence to follow you around, shower you with love, and randomly do cute stuff. But service dogs must often perform complex tasks, which require considerable intelligence to pull off. So, most of the best service dogs are smart cookies.

  • Friendly Disposition: Because your service dog will frequently be required to work in public settings, they need to be comfortable around and friendly with other people and pets. Dogs who are aloof or overprotective may make good pets or guard dogs, but they rarely make good service, therapy, or emotional support dogs.

  • Calm Demeanor: Service and support dogs must be relatively calm to ensure they don’t cause disturbances when you are in public. And this not only means avoiding dogs who tend to run, jump, and play during inappropriate times, it also means avoiding dogs who are reactive or easily startled.

  • Strong Work Drive: Some dogs have a strong desire to work with their owner, while others are happy to lounge on the couch all day and have their stomach scratched. If you require an emotional support dog, you may be able to get by with one in the latter category, but a strong work drive is an important trait to seek when picking a service dog.

  • Tidiness: For the sake of social harmony, you’ll want to make sure that your service dog doesn’t drool and shed everywhere you go. This will just lead to unnecessary conflict and strife, which may cause some to resent service and support dogs.

  • Tendency to Bond Strongly: Although independent dog breeds can be wonderful in some circumstances, most good service and support dogs tend to be touchy-feely dogs who bond strongly with their owners. Besides, you are going to end up depending on your dog pretty heavily, so it’ll just work better if you pick one that’ll develop a strong bond with you.

THE BENEFITS OF HAVING THERAPY DOGS IN THE CLASSROOM INCLUDE:

Physical benefits. Interaction with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce blood pressure, provide physical stimulation and assist with pain management.

Social benefits. A visiting therapy dog promotes greater self-esteem and focused interaction with other students and teachers.

Cognitive benefits. It has been empirically proven that therapy dogs stimulate memory and problem-solving skills.

Emotional and mental health benefits. A recent national survey of adolescent mental health found that about 8 to 10 percent of teens ages 13 to 18 have an anxiety disorder. A therapy dog can lift moods in the classroom, often provoking laughter. The therapy dog is also there to offer friendship and a shoulder to lean on for students.

In order for a dog to be a good candidate to become a therapy dog and receive certification, they should be calm and social with strangers. They should also be able to adjust to loud noises and fast movements. Certain steps are needed for a dog to become certified by a national organization such as The Alliance of Therapy Dogs, e.g., to socialize the dog around other animals and people. They are tested on behaviors such as not jumping on people and being able to walk on a loose leash. Exact testing/certification requirements differ based on the organization's requirements. Some organizations offer classes such as "distraction-proofing," which strengthens the dog's ability to focus and therapy training to help prepare the dog and the dog's owner for therapy visits.

Although therapy dogs are not limited to a certain size or breed, common breeds used in therapy dog application and research include the Golden Retriever, Standard Poodles and the Labrador Retriever. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are considered natural therapy dogs since they were bred to be companion dogs. Thus they love meeting new people including children, are very gentle, and are eager to sit on someone’s lap for long periods of time and are small enough to do so. 

Therapy dogs offer many benefits to people and patients. For example, therapy dogs help patients participate in physical activities. They also help encourage them to have cognitive, social, and communication goals.

It has been proven by a large number of research results that having a therapy dog promotes the release of oxytocin and dopamine, which are involved in stabilizing the mood and well-being. Therapy dogs can boost self-confidence for both child and adult patients. The socialization that a therapy dog can provide is very effective with children who have confidence issues because it allows these children to speak more and interact with their therapy dogs rather than be subjected to the pressure of interacting with another person.

There are three classifications for therapy dogs. The most common type of therapy dogs are therapeutic visitation dogs. These dogs are usually household pets; the owner of these dogs will take their pets to hospitals, nursing homes, or rehabilitation facilities to visit patients. These dogs are used to improve the mental health of patients through socialization and encouragement. Another type of therapy dog is animal-assisted therapy dogs (AAT). Dogs who fall under this category have the duty of assisting patients to reach certain goals towards their recovery. They work to help patients gain skills such as motor skills, use of limbs, and hand-eye coordination. They do this by walking patients through certain activities and games to help them practice these skills. These dogs are usually based in rehabilitation facilities. The last type of therapy dog is a facility therapy dog. These dogs usually work in nursing homes along with their handlers. They live at the facility and help patients with Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive and mental illnesses.

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS

Animal Assisted Therapy has been reported to help many psychological health issues such as anxiety, depression, social skills, and simply improving the moods of the patient.

Additional psychological benefits of therapy dog programs in educational settings are that they can provide comfort, companionship, a diversion to unpleasant thoughts or situations, can lessen resistance and expedite the development of a relationship in the therapy process, and can help people feel more comfortable in a new situation.

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS IN SCHOOL SETTING

The University of Connecticut uses therapy dogs in their program Paws to Relax, available during finals week to help students deal with increased anxiety. The school uses them in other stressful situations, including suicides and deadly automobile accidents. Since 2011, Yale Law School has used therapy dogs to aid students experiencing stress. Some colleges and universities in the US bring therapy dogs to campus to help students de-stress. These campus events are often referred to as "Therapy Fluffies", a term coined by Torrey Trust, the founder of the University of California San Diego therapy dog de-stress event. In 2009, Sharon Franks shared the idea of bringing therapy dogs to campus with the UC San Diego Office of Student Wellness.

Researchers have found university students reported significantly less stress and anxiety, and increased happiness and energy, immediately following spending time in a drop-in session with a dog present, when compared to a control group of students who didn’t spend any time with a therapy dog.

Since the autumn of 2010, "Therapy Fluffies" has visited the UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Riverside campuses during the week before mid-term and final exams. These events give students and staff the opportunity to pet and relax with therapy-certified dogs. The university also works with the Inland Empire Pet Partners, a service of the Humane Society to bring therapy-certified dogs to the campus’ Mental Health Day Spa, held quarterly.

In 2014, Concordia University, Wisconsin became the first university in the US to adopt a full-time therapy dog to its campus in Mequon, WI. The golden retriever, Zoey, is a Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog, trained to interact with people at churches, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, events, and in disaster response situations. 

COGNITIVE BENEFITS

Programs such as the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program promote literacy and communication skills. The practice uses therapy dogs to encourage children to read aloud by giving them a nonjudgmental listener. It has been proven that the academic performance and children's enthusiasm for reading has increased by having a therapy dog with them, especially in children with special education. Goals of canine-assisted reading programs include increasing reading fluency, increasing motivation to read, providing encouragement for reluctant readers, and making reading fun.

An article published by the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias reported that during visits with dogs, residents with dementia were able to be involved in special activities and were more verbal than usual. Researchers have identified further cognitive benefits of therapy dogs, which include an increase in mental stimulation and assistance in the recall of memories and the sequence of events.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

Interaction with therapy dogs improves cardiovascular health, and as a result, patients may need less medication. Further, petting animals promotes the release of hormones that can elevate moods, specifically serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin. Patients receiving occupational therapy have improved their fine motor skills by grooming therapy dogs. Studies have found decreased cortisol levels in children with insecure attachment styles, children with autistic spectrum disorder, in-hospital patients with heart failure, and in healthcare professionals, after physical contact with a dog.

SOCIAL BENEFITS

Therapy dogs promote greater self-esteem in students and encourage positive interactions with peers and teachers. Additionally, children with autism demonstrated increased verbal abilities and social interaction during therapy sessions when animals were present compared to traditional therapy sessions without them. Dogs provide the kind of unconditional companionship and friendship that can help a child with autism build social skills and confidence. Research from the University of Lincoln found that children with autism experience fewer meltdowns in the presence of a pet dog and their parents stress levels are significantly lowered, but we also see that dogs can make a difference to confidence levels, help reduce anxiety, improve communication and help families do more together.

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FACILITY DOGS AND THERAPY DOGS

Because both may aid people in similar settings such as healthcare environments, facility dogs are often mistakenly called therapy dogs; however, there are several important distinctions between them. Facility dogs are trained by accredited assistance dog organizations and therapy dogs are trained by their owners. Facility dogs may be handled by a wide variety of working professionals, while therapy dogs must be handled by their owners.

Facility dogs are trained by canine professionals or by their owner for a period of 18 to 24 months, and must pass very rigorous tests before graduating from an assistance dog organization. In contrast, registration for therapy dogs by a therapy dog organization does not require enrollment in obedience classes or therapy dog classes, meaning that therapy dogs often undergo a much less rigorous training process. Furthermore, the tests that therapy dogs must pass are less complicated and challenging than those taken by facility dogs.

A person with either a therapy dog or a facility dog must have permission from the facilities they visit before they can enter with their animal. They do not have the right to demand access to places where pets are not generally permitted, or to have fees associated with their pets waived.

TYPES OF SERVICE DOGS

Service animals are working animals that have been trained to perform tasks that assist disabled people. Service animals may also be referred to as assistance animals, assist animals, or helper animals depending on the country and the animal's function. Service animals, which do work for persons with disabilities other than blindness or deafness.

Dogs are the most common service animals, assisting people in many different ways since at least 1927. Other animals such as horses are allowed per the ADA in the U.S. The service animal is not required by the Americans with Disabilities Act to wear a vest, ID tag or a specific harness.

In places of public accommodation in the United States, only dogs (and in some cases miniature horses) are legally considered service animals. It is legal in certain states to have service "animals". For instance, in Montana all animals are allowed at the state level. Many cats, birds, and even a wolf source needed are working to help mitigate people's disabilities in Montana. It is also legal to train your own service animal in the United States. There is a broader definition for assistance animals under the US Fair Housing Act as well as a broader definition for service animals under the US Air Carrier Access Act. In the United States, prior to a revision of the Americans with Disabilities Act going into effect March 15, 2011 types of animals other than service dogs and miniature horses were protected at least on the Federal level; individual states could expand coverage.

A psychiatric service dog is a recognized sub-category of service dog trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric disability or a mental disability, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

A psychiatric service dog can assist their handler by providing a safe presence that grounds them; the dog may perhaps lean on the person to provide calming pressure. 

An autism service dog is a service dog trained to assist a person with autism to help them gain independence and the ability to perform activities of daily living similar to anyone else.

The primary focus of an autism service dog is to protect the safety of the children they work with. Autism service dogs are sometimes trained to prevent autistic children from leaving the house unsupervised. When autism service dogs are paired with children, the dog takes commands from the parents, not the child. Autism service dogs also alert parents of dangerous situations regarding the children they work with. Autism service dogs can help open the door for children and keep them from becoming over-stimulated.

Some autistic children have been reported to have an increased sense of independence because of their interactions with the autism service dog.

Sometimes a child harness - attached to an autism service dog - is worn by an autistic child. Autistic adults may also wear such a harness.

“WHEN I COMPARED THE SOCIAL SKILLS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM WHO LIVED WITH DOGS TO THOSE WHO DID NOT, THE CHILDREN WITH DOGS APPEARED TO HAVE GREATER SOCIAL SKILLS. ”

— GRETCHEN CARLISLE

 Dogs Good Positive Impact for those with Autism

  1. Road Safety we’re helping children and adults with autism by using animal assisted intervention to improve road safety awareness and keep them safer when they go out.

  2. Playing games. A simple game of Pairs or hide and seek can be a great way for a child with autism to learn about taking turns and sharing – a dog never cares who wins!

  3. A new best friend. Before autism assistance dog Sox arrived, 11-year-old Toby said he wanted to end his life. He says Sox made him feel better: “it’s as if our hearts are connected by a thread.’

  4. Reducing family stress. University of Lincoln surveyed 100 families who had attended Dogs for Good’s Autism Family Dog workshops. They found the introduction of a pet dog significantly reduced parental stress.

  5. Overcoming fear. The constant presence of a specially trained dog offers a calming focus for a person with autism. Dogs for Good have helped children and adults with trips to the dentist, overcoming anxieties about vaccinations, and starting school.

  6. New opportunities. Life with a child with autism can be dominated by routines and narrow interests but the arrival of a dog can help persuade a child to try something new. Autism Instructor Kelly says: “one partnership started agility training – they want to give something back to their dog but the great thing is both got real benefits.”

  7. Sensory support. The reassuring pressure of a dog’s head resting in a child’s lap helps to bring a feeling of calm in a moment of high anxiety and gives great support for a child with sensory needs.

  8. Better days out. Mum Emma was amazed when her son Thomas asked if they could go out for lunch. “When Briggs, Thomas’ autism assistance dog is by his side it’s like they’re in a protective bubble, Thomas is happy to do things so we all get to do more as a family.

  9. More than words. Mark is an adult with autism who regularly benefits from animal-assisted therapy sessions with the Dogs for Good team. His support worker commented: “After the sessions, Mark is chattier; we even see his sense of humor come out after he’s worked with a dog.

  10. Building friendships. When human friendships and relationships prove difficult, nothing beats the enthusiastic wag of tail from a friend that never judges.

A PTSD Service Dog:

Post-traumatic stress disorder, more commonly referred to as PTSD, is an epidemic impacting millions of Americans every year. It’s estimated that nearly 8% of our population will have some form of PTSD during their lifetime, with about 8 million reported cases annually.

Men, women, and even children can fall prey to this mental health affliction, usually after experiencing a traumatic event or witnessing a loved one endure a hardship. PTSD can become a burden by affecting people with panic attacks, sudden mood swings, difficulty in social settings, and an overall inability to return to life as it was before the distressing event occurred.

In recent years, dogs has been shown to provide life-altering advantages to those who struggle with PTSD symptoms. Service and therapy dogs have been expanding their skills over the last few decades, and although research supporting service dogs who specialize in assisting those with PTSD is relatively new, many people are finding their experience working with their dog to be nothing short of incredible.

Characteristics of a Quality PTSD Service Dog

Generally speaking, dogs are very loving, devoted creatures whose essence has made the man’s best friend for centuries. There are many assets dogs seem to be born with that enable them to support those with PTSD, but there are also specific merits that trainers look for when considering a dog for this important role.

The very act of pet parenthood has mental health benefits, according to the American Psychological Association. Although these service dogs are trained to care for their handlers in many capacities, the owner is also responsible for the wellbeing of his animal. The dog’s role in instilling a nurturing ability in her owner will make him feel accomplished in his role as a pet parent.

Because service dogs must have the right personality and qualities in order to care for someone with PTSD, many dogs are considered for the job. Some of the most important qualities a dog must demonstrate are sociability with other people and animals, the intuition to anticipate her owner’s needs, and a sweet but not overly excited disposition.

Because of the nonjudgmental nature of dogs, they are biologically equipped to help humans emerge from the protective walls that may have been emotionally constructed as a result of PTSD. Although this is an innate quality in dogs, trainers work to hone these skills in their pooch trainees, so that even the most closed-off individual will feel more inspired to be more social and open with family and friends.

Dogs are inherently protective of their pack. In your dog’s eyes, you are the pack leader – it is her responsibility to secure your welfare. A good PTSD service dog carries out her duties to defend you in a nonviolent and nonthreatening way, so you will constantly be reminded that there is a special somebody who always has your best interests at heart.

What PTSD Service Dogs are Trained to Do

Dogs can be trained as service dogs or provide emotional support as therapy dogs. The main difference between these two breeds of dogs are the kind of assistance they provide to their owners, and what kind of rights they’ll have in public. According to the ADA, a service dog is one that has been trained to help someone with an emotional or physical disability that impacts one or more major life activities. If you have been diagnosed with PTSD, you and your certifiably trained service dog may be protected under this act. Emotionally supportive therapy dogs, although life-changing companions, are usually not protected by the ADA, because they haven’t been formally trained to assist in aiding you in your daily tasks, such as taking medication or overcoming anxiety issues. Whatever education your dog receives, there are several important functions she will perform to help ensure your wellbeing.

Service dogs must have a primary focus on their owner. Although the bond between dog and human is strong and loving, the dog is still on the clock full-time to be alert to cues that indicate her owner is in danger. Even in a social setting where there may be a lot of distractions, the dog must be able to drop everything should her owner suddenly find himself in the midst of a panic attack.

Dogs can be trained to provide a sense of security to war veterans with specific anxieties. For example, some physically and emotionally wounded warriors fear walking down the street or even shopping for groceries, because their PTSD is triggered by not knowing what may be hiding around the next block or supermarket aisle. Dogs are trained to be a protective set of eyes for their owner, so they can confirm there is no danger around the bend and prevent an anxiety attack.

Dogs are trained to watch over you around the clock. One of the most troubling effects of PTSD may be the tendency for having nightmares or issues falling asleep. But PTSD service dogs’ duties to your wellbeing don’t set with the sun. They are trained to wake you from nightmares by being alert to night terror indicators. Many people living with PTSD also report that the very presence of their dog in their room at night brings them the comfort they need to fall asleep.

Many military veterans with PTSD were used to being a leader and giving orders during their service. Dogs are naturally loyal and obedient to their owners, and the very act of giving your dog a command can be helpful in transitioning from life in the field to returning home. PTSD service dogs are trained to obey specific commands, but can also be taught additional tricks and obedience orders by owners.

Benefits of Owning a PTSD Service Dog

Dogs with a degree in PTSD service receive comprehensive training by specialists who are familiar with the many obstacles posed by this disorder. Living with this unique service animal offers a variety of benefits. The following resources provide insight on the wide array of services this special dog has to offer

Therapy dogs are trained to calm someone having an anxiety or panic attack.These remarkable animals have been educated to look for indicators of an impending meltdown, such as crying, incessant fidgeting or twitching, or stomping. The dog takes action to comfort and soothe her owner by “hugging” or nestling up on him, or even using her paws or head to block the individual from hitting or harming himself.

Dogs can help ensure that their partners are taking medication. PTSD is a complex disorder that is often treated with both therapy and medication. Therapy dogs are trained to retrieve medication and bring it to owners in bite-proof containers.

A dog is trained to alert its owner to sounds that may go unnoticed in the event of a panic attack. For example, if a smoke detector goes off in the middle of an episode, and the PTSD sufferer is too distraught to notice it, the dog may bark in addition to taking action to calm the person down to indicate they need to evacuate the building. They are also trained to lead their human out of the house by gently biting onto a sleeve or pant leg and guiding the handler to safety.

Therapy dogs can help prevent future issues like substance abuse. This resource points out that having emotional support is crucial for individuals suffering from mental health issues like PTSD. While this aid can come from fellow humans, having the unconditional love and assistance of a trained service dog can keep emotional issues at bay and help thwart drug or alcohol dependencies that some people may turn to as a way of coping.

They give PTSD sufferers the confidence to live their lives more independently. Because PTSD can often leave people with unprovoked feelings of devastation or fear, sometimes just getting out of bed in the morning can seem like too much to handle. Because these dogs are trained to help owners overcome their issues at home and elsewhere, PTSD victims feel like their illness isn’t as big of a setback, and find it’s easier to participate in and enjoy their daily lives.

“GOLDEN RETRIEVERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR BREEDS FOR SERVICE OF ALL KINDS BECAUSE THEY PAIR INTELLIGENCE AND AN EAGERNESS TO PLEASE WITH HIGH LEVELS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND AFFECTION. FOR THE JOB OF A PTSD THERAPY DOG — WHICH CAN INCLUDE EVERYTHING FROM FETCHING MEDICATION AND ATTEMPTING TO MINIMIZE FLASHBACKS TO GENERAL COMPANIONSHIP — THEY’RE A SERIOUSLY HIGHLY-QUALIFIED BREED. GOLDEN RETRIEVERS TEND TO BE THE GO-TO BREED FOR PTSD THERAPY DOGS FOR VETERANS, BUT CAN BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL POPULATION AS WELL.”

— WWW.BUSTLE.COM

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A THERAPY DOG VS A SERVICE DOG?

Service Dogs are trained to perform tasks and to do work that eases their handlers’ disabilities. Working as part of a team with their disabled partners, service dogs help them attain safety and independence. It is very important to note that these dogs are not for petting as it could prevent them from performing their job correctly. Most service dogs have a “no petting” policy established by their owners.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the rights of people with disabilities to be accompanied by their service dogs in public places such as restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels. Additional laws such as the Department of Transportation’s Air Carrier Access Act, the Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing Act, and the Federal Rehabilitation Act protect the rights of people with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals in a wide variety of circumstances under which the ADA may not be applicable.

Therapy dogs also receive training but have a completely different type of job from service dogs. Their responsibilities are to provide psychological or physiological therapy to individuals other than their handlers. These dogs have stable temperaments and friendly, easy-going personalities. Typically, they visit hospitals, schools, hospices, nursing homes, and more. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are encouraged to interact with a variety of people while they are on duty including petting the therapy dog.

Therapy dogs may also visit schools, daycares, group homes, and rehabilitation centers. Their roles vary from dogs who give learning disabled children the confidence to read out loud, to actively participating in physical rehabilitation therapy. In some cases, a therapy dog will work in an establishment exclusively, such as a psychotherapy practice.

Therapy dogs may be trained by just about anyone, but must meet set standards to be dog certification and registered and actively participate in the program. They are usually handled by their owners, but in some cases of Animal Assisted Therapy, the therapy dog may be handled by a trained professional.

Despite thorough training, registration and the therapeutic benefits therapy dogs provide, they do not have the same jobs or legal designation as service dogs. While some institutions offer therapy dogs access on a case-by-case for the benefit of patients, guests, customers, or clientele, the handlers or owners of therapy dogs do not have the same rights to be accompanied by these dogs in places where pets are not permitted.

“POODLES HAVE A REPUTATION FOR INTELLIGENCE, BUT THEIR SUITABILITY FOR PSYCHIATRIC ASSISTANCE JOBS GOES BEYOND THEIR SMARTS. STANDARD POODLES, EXPLAINS ANYTHING PAWSABLE, ARE “EXTREMELY SHARP, TRAINABLE DOGS WITH AN APTITUDE FOR ALL KINDS OF SERVICE DOG SPECIALITIES. THEY EXCEL WITH ALERT AND MOBILITY TASKS.” THEIR ALERTNESS MEANS THEY CAN BE EASILY TRAINED TO LOOK FOR TRIGGERS AND SIGNS OF FLASHBACKS AND HELP COPE WITH CONSEQUENCES AND FETCH HELPFUL ITEMS.”

— WWW.BUSTLE.COM

SERVICE DOG ORGANIZATIONS

4 Paws for Ability

4 Paws for Ability is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of children with disabilities and veterans by training and placing quality, task-trained service dogs. This provides increased independence for the children and assistance to their families. 4 Paws for Ability also helps with animal rescue and educates the public regarding use of service dogs in public places.

Autism Service Dogs of America 

Our mission at Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA) is to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals living with autism, and their families, by providing exceptionally well-trained service dogs. Our service dogs provide physical safety and an emotional anchor for children with autism.

Assistance Dogs International

Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a coalition of not-for-profit assistance dog organizations. The purpose of ADI is to improve the areas of training, placement, and utilization of assistance dogs, staff and volunteer education, as well as educating the public about assistance dogs, and advocating for the legal rights of people with disabilities partnered with assistance dogs.

Blessings Unleashed

Blessings Unleashed is a national life-changing program that turns rescue dogs into heroes for children with autism. Our mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with autism by training and placing highly skilled service dogs. We accomplish this by properly training select rescue dogs for their future individualized task and educating recipients to utilize and care for their service dogs.

Canine Companions for Independence

Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, Canine Companions is the largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. The result is a life full of increased independence and loving companionship.

Custom Canines Service Dog Academy

Custom Canines Service Dog Academy is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization of volunteer professionals and individuals who embrace the endeavor of creating and supporting lasting partnerships between highly skilled service dogs and the community of mankind with diverse impairments and disabilities, thus greatly enhancing their quality of life. The dogs of Custom Canines are placed with their human partners at no cost.

HOW TO AFFORD A SERVICE DOG

THERAPY DOG ORGANIZATIONS


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