“Dogs love almost everyone without prejudice and they
eliminate the language barrier"

What is a Therapy Dog?

  A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, as well as people with learning difficulties and in stressful situations. A therapy dog’s primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with them and to enjoy that contact. Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. Important characteristics of a therapy dog are its temperament, obedience and willingness to interact with unfamiliar people. 

Through their own zest for life, dogs help people maintain a positive attitude. Scientific research has shown that interaction with animals can significantly improve a person’s physical and emotional health. Animals make people feel good, and they facilitate the healing process.

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* Lowering stress levels 

*Encouraging communication 

*Helping people cope with illness, loss and depression                                                              

 *Stimulating exercise and activity 

*They divert a person's attention from the pressing problems of the day

          Therapy Dogs Vs Service Dogs

 Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs volunteer part time with their        handler/
owner.

Therapy dogs do not have the same rights of access as people with disabilities enjoy with their dogs.

They must be invited and/or allowed before entering a facility, school, library or any other place they may be visiting. 

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Service Dogs

Service dogs have full time jobs (using     special skills to help one person)

A service dog means any guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.

A handler  accompanied with a service dog has the right to enter any building or area the handler may need to access.

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     NEVER MISREPRESENT A THERAPY DOG AS A SERVICE DOG