Why Therapy Dogs Help People

Dogs are incredibly loyal, caring, and fun companions to have. As many dog owners know, owning a dog can change your life for the better. There’s nothing quite like loving an animal unconditionally and receiving their unconditional love in return! Animals and humans undoubtedly have a special connection, so naturally they make great service animals. Read on to learn more about how and why therapy dogs help people.

Helping Sufferers of PTSD

Dogs are gentle and loving creatures, so they’re great companions during stressful times. This makes them extremely valuable resources to help people suffering from PTSD, an anxiety disorder that is triggered by traumatic events in someone’s life. It can cause anything from mood swings to nightmares to severe anxiety and flashbacks. Dogs can wake sufferers of PTSD from nightmares, reduce anxiety in public places, and encourage them to leave the house. Healing from this disorder can be very difficult, but therapy dogs can help ease the process.

Hospital and Hospice Care

Coping with a terminal illness an be extremely difficult. Feeling alone during such a tough time is even worse, so therapy dogs step in as companions to comfort patients and their family members throughout the entire process. Furry friends can brighten patients’ days and provide a sense of home to those in hospital and hospice care. Even in the most difficult times, therapy dogs can provide some sense of love and care.

Just Being There

Sometimes, you just need someone there to keep you company. Sufferers of anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges may benefit from the companionship that a dog can provide. Having someone there to snuggle, talk to, and hang out with goes a long way for many people. It also benefits the dog in the relationship! They get a loving home and an owner who enjoys spending time with them. What more could you ask for in a relationship?

Dogs make for great family members, but they also have very important roles as therapy dogs. The support that they can provide for individuals in their tough times is just one more reason that dogs are the best pets!