In the wake of the schools shootings in Florida, therapy dogs have been used as a way to provide comfort and support for students returning to school. Research has shown therapy dogs can reduce stress and provide a sense of connection in difficult situations.
Given the impact therapy dogs can have on student well-being, schools and universities are increasingly adopting therapy dog programs as an inexpensive way of providing social and emotional support for students.
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What are therapy dogs?
It’s important to note therapy dogs are not service dogs. A service dog is an assistance dog that focuses on its owner to the exclusion of all else. Service dogs are trained to provide specific support for individuals with disabilities such as visual or hearing difficulties, seizure disorders, mobility challenges, and/or diabetes.
The role of therapy dogs is to react and respond to people and their environment, under the guidance and direction of their owner. For example, an individual might be encouraged to gently pat or talk to a dog to teach sensitive touch and help them be calm.
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Therapy dogs can also be used as part of animal assisted therapy. This aims to improve a person’s social, cognitive and emotional functioning. A health care professional who uses a therapy dog in treatment may be viewed as less threatening, potentially increasing the connection between the client and professional.
There are also animal-assisted activities, which is an umbrella term covering many different ways animals can be used to help humans. One example is to facilitate emotional or physical mental health and wellbeing through pet therapy or the presence of therapy dogs. These activities aren’t necessarily overseen by a professional, nor are they specific psychological interventions.
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Research suggests using therapy dogs in response to traumatic events can help reduce symptoms of depression, post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.
So, what can happen psychologically for people using therapy dogs?
The human-animal bond
The human-animal bond can impact people and animals in positive ways. Research shows therapy dogs can reduce stress physiologically (cortisol levels) and increase attachment responses that trigger oxytocin – a hormone that increases trust in humans.
Dogs also react positively to animal-assisted activities. In response to the human-animal bond, dogs produce oxytocin and decrease their cortisol levels when connecting with their owner. Often dogs feel the same when engaging in animal assisted activities as if they were at home, depending on the environmental context.
Benefits of therapy dogs
Animal assisted therapy can:
More recently, therapy dogs are being used as a form of engagement with students at school and university.
Benefits of therapy dogs at school
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A recent report highlighted children working with therapy dogs experienced increased motivation for learning, resulting in improved outcomes.
Therapy dogs are being used to support children with social and emotional learning needs, which in turn can assist with literacy development.
Research into the effects of therapy dogs in schools is showing a range of benefits including:
Despite these known benefits, many schools choose not to have therapy dog programs due to perceived risks. These range from concerns about sanitation issues to the suitability of dog temperament when working with children. But therapy dogs and owners are carefully selected and put through a strict testing regime prior to acceptance into any program.
The main reason for the lack of take up has been linked to the limited research into the benefits of therapy dogs in schools.
Benefits of therapy dogs at university
Researchers have found university students reported significantly less stress and anxiety, and increased happiness and energy, immediately following spending time in a drop-in session with a dog present, when compared to a control group of students who didn’t spend any time with a therapy dog.
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Generally, therapy dog programs rely on volunteer organisations. One example is Story Dogs, who currently have 323 volunteer dog teams in 185 schools across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, SA, WA, and ACT. In total, they help 1,615 children each week.
Research into these programs is needed to help further understand the impacts of therapy dogs, especially on student learning and academic outcomes. Lack of funding is setting this research back. University partnerships are one solution to address this.
Dog owners everywhere realize the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with these furry friends. Most of us remain unaware, however, of the physical and mental health benefits that dogs bring quite naturally.
Only quite recently have scientists explored the benefits of the human-canine bond. Studies show that dogs can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve cardiovascular health.
As we celebrate National Dog Day worldwide on Aug. 26, we pay homage to the therapeutic benefits of dogs, whose nonjudgmental and loving disposition help patients feel more calm and open along the road to better mental health.
Many patients with mental illness benefit from dog therapy, and it’s easy to see why. Dog therapy has been tried and true for patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression, PTSD, autism and more.
Dogs have evolved to become acutely attuned to human behavior and emotion. They are able to understand many of the words we use, but they’re even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language and gestures. And like any good human friend, a loyal dog will look into your eyes to gauge your emotional state and try to understand what you’re thinking and feeling.
Dogs don’t have to say a word for you to know how they feel about you. A wag of a tail says it all. Dogs can serve a far greater purpose than just being the family pets.
Dogs can provide several benefits to people of all ages, even after limited interactions. This is why they’re often used in therapy and rehabilitation settings, especially those related to substance abuse and mental health.
With their presence alone, dogs can:
- Reduce stress and anxiety: Petting or positively interacting with a dog can increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and decrease production of the stress hormone cortisol. According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pets can help reduce childhood anxiety, including social anxiety and separation anxiety.
- Reduce depression and loneliness: People report feeling less lonely in the presence of animals — especially dogs. They keep us anchored in the present and distract us from negative or anxious thoughts.
- Create social opportunities: In a study at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, 65 strangers stopped to speak with someone walking a dog, while only three people stopped to talk to that same person walking alone.
- Provide a sense of purpose: By owning a dog, we play an important role in their life by feeding and caring for them. These responsibilities can keep our minds occupied with something constructive, and remove any feelings of negativity.
- Lower blood pressure levels: Studies show that pet-owning patients with high blood pressure managed to keep their blood pressure lower in times of mental stress than patients without pets.
- Encourage exercise: People need daily exercise for optimum health. Dogs should also exercise regularly (daily, if possible), as long as their age and health status allow it. Daily exercise can provide mental and physical benefits for both of you, including improving cardiovascular health and reducing anxiety.
Therapy dogs are trained to be gentle and friendly and to accept strangers hugging them or petting them. They are patient and unbothered by children who tug at their fur or adults who want the smaller ones to sit in their laps.
While therapy dogs live in people’s homes, they can also visit a variety of settings, including retirement or nursing homes, schools, hospice homes and hospitals.
People with anxiety-related issues can gain tremendous benefit from having a specially trained service dog.
Service dogs are companion animals that help people who have physical or mental health conditions.
A service dog for anxiety can provide a sense of calm, anticipate anxiety attacks, and even fetch medication for their owner.
In this article, we look at the benefits of service dogs for people with anxiety. We discuss how to get an anxiety service dog, which breeds make the most successful anxiety service dogs, and how much they cost.
What are service dogs?
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Service dogs help people with physical or mental conditions.
Service dogs offer practical and emotional support to people with a physical or mental health difficulty.
The most well-known service dogs are guide dogs, which assist people who have visual impairments.
However, people can train dogs to help with a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, diabetes, and depression.
Psychiatric service dogs
A psychiatric service dog is a dog that helps someone with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, or other mental health conditions.
All service dogs have completed specialized training and are legally recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
These dogs can go anywhere with their owner, from restaurants to airplanes.
Benefits of anxiety service dogs
People can train service dogs to perform specific tasks depending on an individual’s needs.
Roles carried out by service dogs for anxiety include:
- detecting signs of an anxiety attack before it happens
- fetching medication or water during an anxiety attack
- bringing someone to help the person in distress
- preventing strangers from approaching the person in distress
- calming a person down during an anxiety attack through distraction, such as licking their face or providing a paw
- providing deep pressure therapy to soothe their owner
- retrieving a phone during an anxiety attack
- reminding a person to take their medication at certain times of the day
- performing safety checks of rooms or turning the lights on for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Merely being around dogs provides many benefits, including:
- Exercise. Having a dog is a great way to encourage those with anxiety to exercise. Physical activity can improve symptoms of anxiety and other mental health conditions. It is also vital for physical health.
- Time outdoors. Walking a dog means spending time outdoors, which can sometimes be difficult for people who experience anxiety or depression. Spending time outdoors can boost people’s mental health and increase their vitamin D intake, which can improve a person’s mood.
- Company. Dogs provide love and friendship. Having a pet can reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation.
- Stress relief. Spending time with pets can reduce stress and anxiety and boost happiness. According to a 2015 study, having a pet dog may reduce the risk of anxiety in children.
A 2012 review suggests that interacting with animals may:
- reduce depression and improve mood
- encourage more positive interactions with other people
- lower cortisol levels, which is one of the body’s primary stress hormones
- lower heart rate and blood pressure
- lower reported fear and anxiety
How to get a service dog
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A person must meet specific criteria if they want a service dog.
People can get anxiety service dogs from specialist organizations if they meet specific criteria.
Criteria may include having:
- a physical disability or debilitating psychiatric condition
- a recommendation letter from a doctor or licensed mental health professional
- strong communication skills and patience
- the ability to consistently care for and train a service dog
- the ability to attend a handler training program
- a love of dogs
- a stable home environment
- the finances to care for and maintain a dog for 12 years or more
Many people with anxiety issues may not qualify for getting a service dog. However, some of these people may benefit from having an emotional support animal.
Emotional support animals (ESA) differ from service dogs. While trained service animals perform specific tasks, the law considers ESAs as pets. However, people can still experience tremendous benefits from living with an ESA.
ESAs are companion animals that a medical professional thinks will provide support to a person with a mental or physical health difficulty.
ESAs do not have the same legal protections that service animals do. However, they do have some protections, such as an exemption from no-pet housing rules.
Those who would like an ESA must get a letter from a licensed mental health professional to say that an animal improves at least one characteristic of their condition.
How much does a service dog cost?
Service dogs can be expensive because of the high cost of all the training that is involved.
According to Little Angels Service Dogs, many service dog organizations throughout the United States spend between $30,000 and $40,000 per trained dog.
Each dog receives an average of more than 600 hours of training, along with veterinary care, boarding, and grooming.
Some people choose to train the dog themselves, with the help of a certified trainer. This option is less expensive, but it can still involve high costs.
However, some organizations can help people find service dogs at little or no cost. This is because they meet some or all the expenses through fundraising.
Service dog breeds
Any breed of dog can become a service dog. The most important factors are the individual dog’s temperament, and its ability to complete training.
Some of the breeds that work well as service dogs include:
- boxers
- German shepherds
- golden retrievers
- Labrador retrievers
- poodles
Coping with anxiety
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People with anxiety can consider regular exercise to help manage symptoms.
Service dogs are not the only option for people with an anxiety disorder. The most common ways to cope with the condition are psychotherapy and medication.
Psychotherapy helps people to reduce their anxiety symptoms. A common type of therapy for anxiety disorders is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
People may use medications alone or alongside psychotherapy. These may include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or sedatives.
People with anxiety might consider making some lifestyle changes to help manage their symptoms. These include:
- getting regular exercise
- eating a healthful diet
- quitting smoking
- reducing caffeine intake
- avoiding alcohol and drugs
- reducing stress through meditation, yoga, and deep breathing activities
- establishing a regular sleep schedule
Outlook
Having a service dog can provide a range of benefits to those with anxiety. But it is not always easy to get a service dog, and people must adhere to some strict criteria.
Those who wish to get a psychiatric service dog should speak with a licensed mental health professional to see if a service dog would be appropriate for them.
Individuals who experience anxiety but are not eligible for a service dog may instead get an emotional support animal. Other treatments for the condition include talk therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.
With treatment, people can recover from their anxiety disorder and enjoy a good quality of life.
