Therapy Dogs – The Power Furry Friends Have on a Positive Mindset
Meet Mila
Of all the therapy dogs we could have picked for Turn2Us (a division of TT Training Academy), we could not have picked better than our very own Mila. She is a four-year-old Cockerpoo who works in care homes, with children and visits terminally ill patients. When Mila enters a room, it lights up as quickly as a switch! Mila has been brightening people’s days for six months now. We can’t wait to introduce her to schools and see her thrive working with the children we work with.
Here is Mila giving cuddles to a very special young lady. Her visits are the highlight of their week. Mila radiates positivity. As you can see, they are very happy to see her!
As a society, we can often overlook how animals can truly enrich our lives. Dogs, especially, are exceptionally bright beings. The introduction of K-9s into the police force, service dogs, Guide Dogs in the visually impaired community and therapy dogs are testimony to their magnitude in mental and physical health.
Dogs can provide physical and emotional support. This is scientifically proven.
Emotional Support
Have you ever noticed that dogs can read our emotions? There is a level of understanding between us and our furry friends when we are going through emotional turmoil.
Although research is ongoing, here is what we know so far:
Dogs pick up on our body language signals. They are unwaveringly loyal beings. Therefore, they feel what you feel. They are empaths.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, regarding cognition, dogs are similar in age to three-year-old toddlers. This means they are susceptible to emotional contagion. Toddlers often feel each other’s emotions. If one toddler cries, others join in unison. If the earlier assumption regarding the mental age of dogs is correct, our emotional wellbeing may be contagious to our dogs.
Scientific Research
Studies have shown that dogs can read facial expressions produced by humans. Scientific researchers tracked the eye movements of dogs when processing human facial expressions. Key findings stated that their eye movements were directed to the eyes and mouths of humans. When comparing positive facial expressions with negative (happy and sad), dogs spent more time looking at the happy faces. Therefore, this implies that they feel discomfort when dealing with negative emotions and prefer positive ones.
Results showed that dogs actively process human emotion rather than passively looking at their expressions.
Research also shows that heightened senses allow dogs to smell our emotions. How? Dogs can smell odours produced during hormone generation within the human body. Dogs can sense and smell the stress hormone cortisol. Some investigations conclude that dogs may experience hormonal synchronisation with humans.
Other research also shows that dogs are sensitive to pheromones. These are chemical signals that communicate messages about human emotion. Therefore, if a dog owner feels stressed or anxious, their pooch senses this. This creates a ripple effect whereby dogs then act on these communicated signals. These messages can change canine behaviour.
Dog behaviour in response to human emotion:
- Increased affection – dogs often comfort humans and seek closeness when they appear to be stressed or anxious
- Submissive behaviour
- Increased anxiety – recognising these negative emotions can make dogs feel stressed
- Seeking affection – dogs want to comfort their owners, e.g. rest their head on their lap
- Simultaneous emotion – dogs often mirror the feelings of humans
The work of Therapy Dogs – What do they do?
Therapy dogs can care for many different psychological and physical conditions and emotions. They are trained by specialists to comfort people other than their handlers and owners. They commonly visit:
- Schools
- Universities
- Hospitals/ hospices
- Care homes
- Disaster areas
- Businesses
Therapy dogs provide comfort and companionship. They visit members of the community who will benefit from the presence of a furry friend. They boost mood and elicit positive emotions. Research has shown that petting a dog alone lowers the stress hormone cortisol and increases the ‘feel good’ hormones serotonin and oxytocin.
Who Can Therapy Dogs Help?
- PTSD sufferers
- Those with dementia
- Autistic children and adults
- Those with depression and anxiety
- Those experiencing loneliness
- Children in school
- Anyone who needs cheering up!
Stroking a dog can help you feel calmer. The presence of oxytocin reduces stress and evokes feelings of calm and relaxation.
Support dogs can be subdivided into specialist areas: service dogs, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and therapy dogs.
Service Dogs
Service dogs are trained to perform tasks for those with a disability. They differ from therapy dogs. They are paired up with one individual who needs help carrying out these tasks in daily life. For example, guide dogs help individuals with visual impairment. They guide owners around obstacles, help them safely cross roads, locate items, and much more.
Service dogs are granted full public access rights. This means that areas where dogs are usually not permitted do not apply to service dogs. This means they can always assist their human companions. Service dogs are also trained not to interact with strangers so that their full attention is always on their owners.
The most recognised service dogs are guide dogs. However, these dogs can offer their services to a range of conditions:
- Diabetes
- The hearing-impaired community
- Epilepsy
- Fainting disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
Emotional support dogs are there to help owners with mental health conditions. They are not required to undergo the same rigorous training as service dogs. However, a prescription is required from a doctor or mental health professional to register for an ESA. Although they are protected under the Housing Act, which states they are allowed in rental properties, they do not have the same rights as service dogs in public spaces.
The Presence of a Pet
Therapy, service, and ESA dogs are helpful to those suffering from physical and mental illnesses, and dogs are life-enriching to all!
It is said that 28% of the UK own a dog. However, 51% of the UK have a pet! Therefore, over half the country has an animal companion.
Owning a pet can benefit everyone. Here’s how:
- Sense of purpose
- Decreases loneliness
- Increased physical activity
- Reduces stress
- Combats depression
- Improves mood through interaction
- Lowers blood pressure and heart rate due to better cardiovascular health
- Boost immunity – exposure to pets can help strengthen the immune system
- Increases social interaction
- Improves family relationships
As you can see, dogs are extraordinary!
Let’s Summarise How They Can Help You
- Mila, our therapy dog, can visit you and improve your day! Get in touch for more information.
- K-9s can offer a range of services. They are versatile beings and extremely intelligent!
- Can offer emotional, psychological and physical support!
- Therapy dogs are science-backed! They can smell hormones relating to stress, anxiety and happiness. (Cortisol, serotonin and oxytocin).
- Therapy dogs can adapt to different contexts and situations.
- Dogs can support you with a range of conditions: diabetes, anxiety, depression, stress, chronic loneliness, autism, high blood pressure and many more!
If you want to hear more about our Mila, check out our Instagram page: @tttrainingacademy.
If you would like some other valuable tips and information regarding mental health and wellbeing
Getting to Know Mila
Here, we see Mila becoming familiar with car journeys. Travelling is a necessity in her line of work!
Check out Mila on her 1st dog training day. She was so scared and wouldn’t go near anyone. Definitely not like that 4 years on, she adores people and can’t stay away from them.
Mila absolutely loves visiting the care homes. Here she is in action and the residence of this care home absolutely loved her. Their faces, which have been blurred out were an absolute picture of happiness.
After a hard day, not really because she loves every minute of it, she loves to snuggle up with mum in bed.
FAQ's
Which dogs can be therapy dogs?
Any dog can be a therapy dog with a suitable temperament and the necessary training. However, certain breeds are more commonly trained to be therapy dogs. These include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Poodles and German Shepherds.
How do you register your dog as a therapy dog?
Find a reputable therapy dog organisation, e.g. Pets As Therapy (PAT), Therapy Dogs Nationwide (TDN), or Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Who qualifies for an emotional support dog in the UK?
There is no specific disability requirement for an emotional support dog. Emotional support dogs are there for comfort and mental health support.
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