What are Therapy Dogs?
It is not surprising that dogs are considered our best friends. Since time immemorial, these animals have served us in a number of roles. They have guarded our homes, helped us to hunt and herded our sheep and cattle,

One of the latest roles that dogs have taken up is in the form of providing therapy to people. Traditionally owning a dog has always been a rewarding experience. Dogs provide us comfort, love and affection. Medical research also proved that dogs can help lower the blood pressure of people suffering from hypertension and helped reduce the ravages caused by diseases like Alzheimer’s to a great extent.

It is little wonder that dogs began to be used as a means of therapy to lift the spirits of ailing and convalescing people in hospitals, retirement and old age homes, mental institutions and nursing homes. There are a number of breeds that are used as therapy dogs. One of the most popular choices is the Labrador or Golden Retriever. Generally speaking, dogs of this breed have a very calm disposition and temperament.

There are many non-profit organizations that are involved in promoting bonds between animals and humans and using animals as companions for individuals in order to promote their health and well-being. One such society is the Delta Society. It is actively involved in training candidate dogs as therapy dogs.

Therapy dogs are usually personal pets of people. These people are interested in providing the animals with training so that they can become therapy dogs in a controlled environment such as a hospital. The dogs are trained to play tricks and to provide companionship to people in need. This helps to remove stress in patients and encourage their recovery.

Therapy dogs are in a way an extension of the role that dogs have been playing since ancient times. Dogs have always played the role of providing comfort and companionship to people.
 
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