Dogs offer benefits beyond companionship, including emotional, psychological, and physical support. According to the mental health professionals at Lifescapes Counseling Associates in Apex, NC, therapy dogs are trained to help people cope with challenging moments.
Emotional Support
Therapy with dogs brings unconditional love, lifting spirits and providing emotional stability. Therapy dogs can be a source of comfort for those lonely or isolated—like those living in nursing homes or hospital patients.
Stress/Anxiety Reduction
Therapy dogs have been shown to instill a calming or tranquil influence on those facing anxiety or undergoing challenging times. Engaging with a therapy dog can decrease stress hormones, particularly cortisol, while increasing the “feel-good” hormone known as oxytocin. Research indicates that interaction with dogs is correlated directly with reductions in blood pressure and heart rate.
Help with Depression/Mood Disorders
Engaging with therapy dogs can help boost mood by increasing the production of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that play a crucial role in feelings of happiness and pleasure. This is especially helpful for depression because therapy dogs promote a more positive outlook.
Assist in Pain Management
Therapy with dogs, often used in hospitals and hospices to help alleviate discomfort and distress, has been shown to help reduce pain perception while undergoing medical treatments.
Encourage Social Interaction
Therapy dogs act as a natural icebreaker, which helps individuals who may have social anxieties or communication issues.
Support for Special Needs Children
Therapy dogs offer a calming influence, encouraging children with developmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorders, or ADHD) to open up in social situations.
Cognitive Functioning Improvements
For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, interacting with a therapy dog can help stimulate mental activity, including concentration and memory, and reduce anxiety and confusion for those facing cognitive issues.
Provide Support During Crises
Therapy dogs are often a part of the aftermath of crisis situations (e.g., natural disaster sites, crime scenes, or peak travel times for airport travelers). This is because they help people regain a sense of calm and control by providing reassurance and comfort when facing fear, trauma, or grief.
Therapy dogs like Mabel, Roo, and Gunter bring warmth, love, and joy to our office, staff, and clients. For more information regarding the benefits of therapy with dogs, contact a staff associate of Lifescapes Counseling Associates at 919-303-0273 or online.