the Cutest Therapists in the World!
What is
“Therapy Dog” ?
Therapy Dog The "Cutest Therapists in the World"
A therapy dog is a specially trained canine, prepared by experts alongside their owners, to bring joy, relaxation, and smiles while providing support to individuals in need. They work in various settings such as nursing homes, children's hospitals, patient recovery centers, schools, or disaster relief shelters.
Beyond their working hours, these dogs naturally bring happiness and comfort to their owners and everyone in the household. Both the dogs and their owners maintain consistent training and preparation, focusing on health and hygiene, to be ready for their duties.
To become a certified Therapy Dog, a dog must undergo rigorous evaluation, starting with an initial qualification test, followed by comprehensive training. Upon completing the program and meeting the required standards, they receive an official certification, enabling them to provide therapeutic care and support to others.
In general, dogs trained to become therapy dogs are not limited by breed or size. However, there are basic qualifications that suitable dogs must meet, such as being between 1.5 to 7 years old, understanding basic commands, and being comfortable around strangers or other dogs. Simply put, they should be social dogs. These foundational traits are essential for their training and development into a "Therapy Dog."
Because they can do so much more than just
“be hugged,”
Therapy Dogs can provide care and comfort to:
Grandparents,
Special individuals,
People with disabilities,
And everyone around them.
Who can benefit from
“Therapy Dog” ?
Therapy Dogs, trained alongside their owners, can provide care to people of all ages and backgrounds. From family members and friends to anyone in need of support, these remarkable dogs extend their reach to the broader community, offering comfort and assistance to society at large.
Elderly
Therapy Dog teams can significantly improve the well-being of the elderly by enhancing their:
Social interactions
Verbal communication
Alertness
Reduction in aggression and resistance
Decrease in feelings of loneliness
These improvements allow seniors to live with a sense of purpose and communicate more effectively with their caregivers.
Such positive impacts also inspire and encourage caregivers, giving them hope and motivation to support the elderly in achieving a better quality of life and improved health.
Special Needs Children
such as those with autism, ADHD, or cerebral palsy, can greatly benefit from therapy dogs. Therapy dogs help: Instill gentleness and compassion in children Stimulate sensory development through close interaction Enhance development through playful activities And, of course, therapy dogs make wonderful playmates, providing endless joy for children throughout the day.
Depression
Therapy dogs can play a significant role in supporting those with depression by: Boosting confidence Bringing joy and positivity Offering unconditional attention and care Listening without judgment These gentle companions help break emotional barriers, encouraging patients to open up and share their stories with healthcare professionals, fostering a sense of comfort and trust.
Disabilities
For those with visual, hearing, or intellectual impairments, therapy dogs provide: Comfort and reassurance Smiles and daily encouragement Increased happiness and emotional well-being Therapy dogs also assist in training and developing skills to compensate for impaired senses, such as helping with walking for those who are deaf, enhancing tactile experiences for the blind, or simply being a loyal companion for children with cognitive disabilities.
Elderly
Therapy Dog teams can significantly improve the well-being of the elderly by enhancing their:
Social interactions
Verbal communication
Alertness
Reduction in aggression and resistance
Decrease in feelings of loneliness
These improvements allow seniors to live with a sense of purpose and communicate more effectively with their caregivers.
Such positive impacts also inspire and encourage caregivers, giving them hope and motivation to support the elderly in achieving a better quality of life and improved health.
Special Needs Children
such as those with autism, ADHD, or cerebral palsy, can greatly benefit from therapy dogs. Therapy dogs help: Instill gentleness and compassion in children Stimulate sensory development through close interaction Enhance development through playful activities And, of course, therapy dogs make wonderful playmates, providing endless joy for children throughout the day.
Depression
Therapy dogs can play a significant role in supporting those with depression by: Boosting confidence Bringing joy and positivity Offering unconditional attention and care Listening without judgment These gentle companions help break emotional barriers, encouraging patients to open up and share their stories with healthcare professionals, fostering a sense of comfort and trust.
Disabilities
For those with visual, hearing, or intellectual impairments, therapy dogs provide: Comfort and reassurance Smiles and daily encouragement Increased happiness and emotional well-being Therapy dogs also assist in training and developing skills to compensate for impaired senses, such as helping with walking for those who are deaf, enhancing tactile experiences for the blind, or simply being a loyal companion for children with cognitive disabilities.
Lifelong companions for both children and adults,
Quietly watching over them at all times,
Playmates for any moment,
Listeners to every story without judgment,
And givers of warm hugs whenever needed.
The Origins of Therapy Dogs
The concept of using dogs or animals in therapy dates back to 19th-century Europe. In 1860, Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of modern nursing from England, observed that psychiatric patients experienced reduced anxiety when spending time with small animals.
Similarly, the renowned Austrian psychologist Sigmund Freud believed that dogs could sense human stress levels. He often used his dog as a bridge to connect with patients, allowing them to first play with his dog and gradually build trust, paving the way for more effective communication and treatment.
In the 1970s, the idea of using animals as therapy aids in hospitals and healthcare centers began gaining widespread attention. In 1976, Elaine Smith, an American nurse working in England, noticed significant improvement in patients who interacted with therapy dogs. Inspired by this, she introduced the concept to the United States and began training dogs specifically for therapeutic purposes.
Research and Benefits
Medical and psychological research consistently supports the therapeutic benefits of dogs. Therapy dogs are particularly effective in addressing mental and emotional challenges, including:
- Reducing anxiety and stress
- Alleviating symptoms of depression
- Enhancing physical rehabilitation and motor skills
- Promoting emotional well-being and cardiovascular health
These benefits extend to various groups, including students, patients, and the elderly, making therapy dogs a versatile and valuable resource in improving lives.
Learn more: Animal-Assisted Therapy Research
Therapy dog
Different from Other Types of Assistance Dogs?
Not All Dogs Serving People Are the Same
In many countries, dogs trained to assist humans are categorized based on their roles and the legal rights granted to them. These roles can be broadly divided into three main types:
Service dog
Service dogs are specially trained to care for and assist their owners, typically individuals with physical disabilities who require additional support for daily living. These tasks can include guiding the visually impaired, aiding individuals with epilepsy or diabetes, or assisting wheelchair users.
These dogs undergo rigorous and specialized training from a very young age—often starting as puppies and continuing until around two years old. They are trained to perform specific tasks, such as guiding their owner, opening doors, answering phones, alerting others to medical emergencies, and more. Additionally, service dogs can include those trained to support professionals, such as rescue dogs, scent-detection dogs, and many other roles.
Service dogs come with official certifications that outline their specialized skills and the types of assistance they are trained to provide. These certifications help clarify their roles and abilities in supporting their handlers.
Emotional support dog
Emotional support dogs are companions that provide comfort and stay by their owner’s side, particularly for individuals suffering from emotional or psychological conditions. Unlike service dogs, emotional support dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks but play a vital role in offering love, reassurance, and companionship.
Legally, emotional support dogs are not considered ordinary pets. To qualify as an emotional support dog, a certified psychiatrist or licensed mental health professional must issue a letter verifying that the owner has a severe mental health condition requiring the constant presence of the dog.
This certification allows the emotional support dog to accompany their owner in restricted areas, such as restaurants or on airplanes, where regular pets are typically not permitted. This significant role makes them an essential part of their owner’s mental well-being.
Therapy dog
Therapy dogs are specially trained along with their owners to fulfill a unique mission: spreading happiness, bringing smiles, and promoting physical and emotional relaxation to others. They visit various settings, such as children’s hospitals, senior care homes, rehabilitation centers, facilities for individuals with disabilities, and other places in need of support and care.
A therapy dog team, comprising the dog and its owner, undergoes training with experts, passes specific tests, and earns certifications. Their work is typically carried out on a voluntary basis, which has earned them the affectionate nickname of “the world’s most adorable therapists.”
Why Thailand should have
“Therapy Dog” ?
Living in the Modern World: A Decline in Life’s Balance
Today’s fast-paced world is filled with numerous factors and stimuli that gradually erode life’s balance. From the constant exposure to social media and increasing isolation to economic pressures and health issues, these challenges contribute to the growing prevalence of depression, often unnoticed by those affected.
This issue is not limited to any specific region—it impacts people globally, including Thailand.
According to research from Srithanya Hospital under the Ministry of Public Health, the cumulative number of depression cases in Thailand from 2009 to 2018 reached approximately 1.4 million. However, only 57.6% of these individuals received treatment.
The ultimate consequence of untreated depression often leads to self-harm or suicide attempts. Alarmingly, in Thailand, an average of 6 people attempt self-harm every hour.
“A Milestone in Success”
One of the key achievements of the Therapy Dog Thailand program was introducing therapy dog teams to provide therapy for psychiatric patients at Srithanya Hospital. This marked a historic first for both the hospital and the country.
The Therapy Process: A Collaborative Effort
Therapists and medical professionals set therapeutic goals, while the Therapy Dog Thailand team designs tailored therapy sessions and pairs the most suitable therapy dog teams with each patient.
The results of therapy sessions involving dogs have been highly satisfying for medical experts, as they observe immediate positive changes in patients’ behavior and emotional states.
This marks an essential first step in establishing therapy dogs as an alternative tool for treating patients with depression—a common underlying condition that often hinders progress with other forms of therapy.
Beyond this, therapy dog teams are capable of creating diverse therapeutic activities that bring joy and ease anxiety for various groups, including the elderly, visually impaired, hearing impaired, and children with special needs.
“The Community Dimension”
Bringing joy to those around us while adding value to dogs’ lives.
The training focuses on building strong relationships between dog owners and their dogs as a foundation. When owners better understand their dogs, they enjoy living together more, reducing issues such as dog abandonment. Stray dogs, in turn, can become valuable companions if we learn how to coexist harmoniously.
Additionally, this training equips dog owners with the knowledge and skills to use their dogs in caring for family members and loved ones, fostering love and happiness within their households.
“The National Dimension”
Enhancing Collective Happiness
The statistics of mental health issues in Thailand are steadily rising. Many people around us suffer from depression and emotional or psychological ailments but either refuse, hesitate, or lack access to proper care and treatment.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the natural qualities of dogs—animals deeply ingrained in Thai society—could be harnessed to bring joy, smiles, and relief from stress and depression? If this were possible, these troubling statistics might significantly decrease.
Therapy dogs have been playing a role in healing, comforting, and supporting individuals since the 19th century. Today, there are training institutions for therapy dogs in major cities worldwide. Therapy dogs are recognized and respected by hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physical therapy facilities, and care homes for the disabled and elderly.
These incredible companions have been acknowledged for their ability to assist individuals suffering from emotional and psychological distress, disabilities, or those undergoing physical therapy. By providing unconditional love and encouragement, therapy dogs help improve both physical and mental health, creating happier and more fulfilling lives for those they support.
“The Time Has Come for Thailand to Have a ‘Therapy Dog Team'”
It’s time for Thailand to establish a therapy dog team to bring love, joy, and encouragement to its people. These dedicated teams can contribute to society by spreading happiness and creating lasting smiles, fostering a sustainable sense of well-being within the community.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a happy life.”