1. Therapy Dogs Help
People Feel Good
I smiled when I read
this quote, because,
face it, puppies make
us happy. (And it’s a lot
cheaper than paying a
real psychiatrist.)
“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy
licking your face.” ~ Ben Williams
2. But really, this quote
by Ben Williams holds
a lot of truth to it.
There have been
numerous scientific
and psychological
studies that show the
positive affects that
dogs have on people.
3. These include:
• Lowering blood pressure
• Reducing heart rate and
cholesterol
• Decreasing stress levels
• Relieving loneliness
4. Dog owners and dog lovers, of course don’t
need to be told this. We may not be conscious of
the exact things that are happening inside of us
when we are around friendly dogs, but we know
we feel good.
5. Growing up, our family always had dogs as pets
and they were like members of the family. The
best part of leaving the house was, and is,
coming home for their greeting. It is such a great
feeling! Dogs indeed bring a special light to our
lives.
6. Ever notice that when you walk your dog, or see
someone out with their dog, almost everyone
you meet wants to pet it? There’s just something
about our canine pals that touches people
emotionally or spiritually. And it’s this something,
this special bond, which makes dogs such good
therapy animals. They bring this feeling to
those most in need.
7. The following are just some of the positive impacts
therapy dogs have on the people they meet:
• Therapy dogs bring cheer to
patients in hospitals and
nursing homes, helping them
heal mentally and emotionally.
• They encourage strides in
physical therapy, because
people subconsciously try
harder when the reward is
visiting with and/or playing
with the dog.
8. • Many schools and libraries
have Animal Assisted Therapy
programs, too; children, who
would not normally read a book
at all, will read to the visiting
dogs.
• Patients in hospitals that are
mentally withdrawn become
more socially active and start to
talk when the dogs come in.
9. • The dogs relieve loneliness in
those who would not normally
have another visitor.
• Staff members at all of these
facilities are also positively
affected by the presence of
the therapy dogs, shown by
increased happiness and a
lowering of their stress levels.
10. There are so many positive benefits for patients
and nursing home residents when visiting with a
therapy dog. However, the number of facilities
with regular visits from owners and their canines
is actually rather small. And it’s so easy and
rewarding!
11. If you think your dog has the right temperament
and basic training, it can test to become a
Certified Canine Good Citizen. Imagine the joy
you could bring to others, and how good you
would feel, too, if you became a therapy dog
owner.
12. And now we invite you to Like us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/DogsHealingPeople