How therapy dogs can improve your health.

Therapy dogs are pets that improve your health by providing emotional support. You can train your dog to be a therapy dog to provide support for yourself and others. Therapy dogs live in people's homes. They can also visit a variety of settings, including nursing homes or senior citizens, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. They are trained to be gentle and friendly and to accept strangers by hugging or petting them. They are patient and are not bothered by children pulling their fur or adults who want minors to sit on their laps. Therapy dogs are sometimes called "comfort dogs." They support a person's mental health by providing attention and comfort. Their sweet behaviors and unconditional love can have a therapeutic benefit for those facing difficult health challenges. Unlike service dogs, however, anyone can enjoy a therapy dog. Some mental health challenges and psychiatric disorders are known,to respond well to therapy dogs. Patients diagnosed with a range of problems, such as depression , bipolar disorder , autism, ADHD , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Alzheimer's disease, benefit from their interaction with therapy dogs. Sometimes emotional challenges are the result of physical health problems, and therapy dogs can help with this, too. Research suggests that patients recovering from difficult surgery or a serious accident who participate in animal-assisted therapy may feel less pain. Studies have shown that these interactions can increase the mood-enhancing hormone oxytocin and decrease the stress hormone cortisol. Any friendly breed of dog can be a therapy dog with a little training. Larger breeds, such as golden retrievers, standard poodles, sable and labradors, are commonly used as therapy dogs. But smaller breeds such as mini poodles and pomeranians are good choices when dog and patient are sharing a small space. A dog's good behavior may be partly a function of its breed, but it depends mainly on how the dog is raised and how evenly its temperament develops. Before being accepted as therapy animals, dogs are tested and observed for their response to stimuli, such as loud or confusing noises, being held suddenly, or even equipment such as canes or wheelchairs. If you want to learn more about finding a therapy dog to help yourself or a loved one, there are several online directories. Do an online search for "therapy dog" and the name of your city or town to find individuals and organizations near you.