Let’s be honest for a second, every dog can provide its humans with comfort, cuddles, and emotional support. Yet, at the same time, we have to admit that some breeds do it better than others. Simply put, they are better therapy dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club, it is important to make the distinction between therapy and service dogs.
Here is their explanation, “Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks to assist a person with a disability. Therapy dogs volunteer with their owners to provide comfort and support to people in settings such as schools, hospitals, assisted living, and more”.
How do dogs help with mental health?
Any pet owner will tell you about the immediate joy that comes with sharing your life with a companion animal. But we are often unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that come from snuggling with a furry friend.
Dogs have evolved over the years, going a long way from their wildlife, to their domesticated version. Nowadays, dogs have evolved and understand many words we use, and have attuned to our behaviors and emotions. They are great at interpreting the tone of our voice, body language, and gestures. Here are some ways that pets help with our mental health.
- Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression compared to people who do not own a pet
- People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations
- According to one study, people with borderline hypertension can lower their blood pressure by adopting a dog
- Playing with dogs can elevate your levels of serotonin and dopamine, or better known as the happy hormones
- Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, two main indicators of a heart disease
- Pet owners that have 65 years or more, are 30% less likely to visit their doctor and make fewer visits to their doctor’s office
And all of that because dogs fulfill the basic human need for touch. Even hardened criminals show changes in their behavior after interacting with animals.
How do pets improve our lifestyle?
One of the best ways that pets change our life is they make us change our lifestyles. When you adopt a dog, you are more likely to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Those changes include walking more, getting out of the house more, and so on. With that in mind, here are some ways pets can improve our lifestyle.
- We increase our exercise levels by taking our dog for a walk, hike, or run. Those are all fun and rewarding ways to get your daily exercise
- They provide companionship, and they can prevent illness or add years to your life. Isolation and loneliness can trigger depression, a disease that can reduce the quality of your life. Caring for an animal makes you feel wanted and needed and takes the focus away from your everyday problems
- You can meet plenty of new people by taking your dog for a walk. Pets are an amazing social lubricant for new owners, allowing people to create new and maintain friendships
- Dogs provide structure and routine to our days. They need regular feeding and exercising, and a consistent routine works for people as well
Can any dog be a therapy dog?
Yes, every dog can serve a role of a therapy dog. All dogs provide comfort and support. But to be a certified therapy dog, that is something different.
That requires special training, and not all breeds are intelligent enough and eager enough to please to work as service animals.
Therapy dog training begins with basic good manners. Dogs are required to pass the Canine Good Citizen Test. Then, their skills that can work in a therapy setting, need to go through the specific therapy test. These commands and skills include leave it, paws up, bring it, drop it, say hello, and so on.
Best Therapy Dogs
Now let’s take a look at some of the best therapy dogs that you can find in the canine world. As we said before, all dogs provide comfort and emotional support. Some are just better at certain skills than others.
Golden Retriever
Arguably the happiest pooch in the canine world, Golden Retrievers have a unique happy-go-lucky nature and demeanor. They love all people and are happy no matter what is happening.
Goldens are some of the best dogs for families, but also some of the best therapy dogs. Their joyfulness is addictive and spreads like a virus.
Labrador Retriever
Right next is the Labrador Retriever, the most popular dog breed in the world up until a year ago.
Extremely trainable and affectionate, they are kind, gentle, and loving. You cannot go wrong with a Labrador, or any of its mixes.
Greyhound
Originally bred as a hunting dog, the Greyhound is now a couch potato. Yes, while many people associate the Greyhound with racing, this puppy is actually happiest when it sleeps on the couch. This is why many trainers and experts recommend it as the best dog for elderly people.
Calm, serene, and friendly, these dogs are amazing around children and other animals.
Poodle
No matter if you get Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, or Miniature Poodle, the result is the same. And that is a highly intelligent dog that understands everything, from body language to voice tone and commands.
Poodles are a working dog breed, and they want to have a task at hand. Providing support and companionship for their humans is a great way to keep them occupied.
Newfoundland
While this large breed might seem daunting because of its size, it is actually a gentle giant. Back in the day, it was used as a working dog to pull nets for fishermen. Nowadays, these puppies make excellent therapy dogs.
They are affectionate, and cuddling with them feels like cuddling with a real-life teddy bear.
German Shepherd
One of the most versatile dogs in the canine world, the German Shepherd can fill any role you ask of him. Primarily a herding dog, the GSD can be a therapy dog, working dog, search and rescue dog, and everything in between.
They are some of the most trusted partners for dog owners around the world.
Bichon Frise
If you want to get some great cuddling pet therapy, look no further. The beauty of this therapy dog is that it doesn’t shed.
Playful and gentle, Bichon Frise provides companionship and love all day long. While they are not on the higher end of intelligent dogs, they can still pass the therapy dog training easily.
Yorkshire terrier
Another therapy animal that doesn’t shed, the Yorkshire terrier is small, happy, energetic, and lively, and will bring joy to your household.
These puppies will do anything to make their humans happy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
If there is one dog that can provide amazing emotional support and mental health benefits, all while being kind, affectionate, and gentle, that is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
This royal dog has been a popular choice for families and people who are going through hard times for many years.
Pomeranian
There is a reason why Pomeranians have grown in popularity in the past several years. One of those that is they were known as the most beautiful dogs, thanks to the Internet sensation, Boo.
But these small dogs will fill all your therapy needs. They are outgoing, but affectionate with their family and form a strong bond with their owner.
Border Collie
You cannot have a list without the smartest dog in the world. Developed to gather and control flocks of sheep, the Border Collie has evolved into a versatile dog breed.
They can process any command and task and have an unlimited reserve of energy and stamina.
Lurcher
A crossbreed between a Greyhound or other sighthounds with herding dogs and terriers, they have been around for hundreds of years.
Their friendly and laid-back nature makes them a perfect addition to a household. Relaxed and gentle, this puppy has a quiet temperament and enjoys human contact.
Beagle
Our next dog on the list is Beagle, a perfect emotional support animal. Small and compact, this happy-go-lucky dog works in a household with children, elderly people, or young and active people.
They are way too versatile to ignore them.
Staffordshire Bull terrier
Part of the Pit Bull umbrella term, Staffies are some of the most loyal, gentle, and affectionate dogs in the animal kingdom.
Ignore their reputation and history as being used in dog fighting. And if you give them a chance, you will have a friend for life.
