Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs are trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, nursing and retirement homes, mental institutions and schools. They are also used to help people in stressful situations after disasters.

There are virtually no restrictions on the type of breeds that can become therapy dogs. The main requirement for a good therapy dog is a very calm and soothing temperament. In addition, a dog should be able to tolerate, if not enjoy, all kinds of people (young and old) and many other kinds of animals with a neutral reaction. A dog that chases cats may not be a strong therapy dog candidate. Organizations like Delta Society and Therapy Dogs International conduct testing of handler teams and evaluate thousands of dogs every year. Dogs are tested to see how they behave around people in certain situations. Dogs must also be able to remain calm around people that use wheelchairs or crutches. Most therapy dogs are normal house pets that do not require any formal training other than positive exposure to a variety of life situations.Therapy Dogs International, Inc.: An Overview

• Therapy Dog International: Brief History on Therapy Dogs

• Pitbull Lovers: Hershey: The Certified Therapy Dog

• Fidos For Freedom: Photos and Biographies on Therapy Dogs

• New Mexico State University: NMSU therapy dog inducted into Hall of Fame

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