Should My Dog Go to Therapy with Me?

Dogs are such a great source of comfort that it’s no wonder you’re asking this question. Therapy sessions can bring up painful memories, and dogs will give you the hug you need, no questions asked, but should you actually bring your dog with you? The first step to answering this question is understanding the pros and cons.

Pros and Cons

As we know, it can be super beneficial to bring your dog to therapy because of the comfort, but what are the other benefits? Bringing your dog with you can relax you. That sense of comfort can help you open up during your session to adequately address issues with your therapist. However, dogs can also serve as a distraction. They can disrupt the session by acting out or becoming too aggressive. Furthermore, you could run into legal trouble if your dog causes any damage to people or property during the session.

So What’s the Verdict?

The answer truly depends. If you know that your dog is well trained and can handle an hour or two sitting quietly on the couch, then the answer is yes. If you know that they can’t sit still for more than 30 minutes, then the answer is no. The answer also depends on whether or not the therapy office allows dogs in the first place. It’s always wise to consult your therapist and ensure that there aren’t any allergies or aversions to having dogs in the office. 

How Should I Prep?

If you and your therapist have both decided that session would run smoother with your dog present, then set up an initial appointment to introduce your dog to everyone in the office. That way, you can make sure that your dog is comfortable and won’t cause any problems. Consider bringing a bag of treats or toys in case your dog gets bored or you want to reward them for being good.