{"id":728,"date":"2019-11-08T00:24:09","date_gmt":"2019-11-08T07:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/?p=728"},"modified":"2023-10-05T10:09:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T16:09:20","slug":"does-your-dog-have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-therapy-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/does-your-dog-have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-therapy-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Your Dog Have What it Takes to Be a Therapy Dog?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Do people routinely tell you how wonderful your dog is? If you are used to hearing \u201cYou have the best dog in the world!\u201d, and you\u2019re interested in sharing your dog with others who may benefit from your dog\u2019s sweetness, perhaps you should consider therapy dog training! After all, what better way to spread the happiness and comfort that your dog brings than taking your sweet pup into a hospital or to a senior center where there are people who would appreciate a visit from a special four-legged companion?
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Anyone who owns a dog knows how much this special bond<\/a> adds to their quality of life, and there\u2019s science to back it up. Recently, therapy dogs have been recognized by the scientific community for the health and healing benefits that they offer. Studies show that simply petting a dog stimulates the release of \u201cfeel good\u201d neurochemicals, and contributes to lowered blood pressure, less depression, and an overall reduction in stress. There are numerous ways that therapy dogs can provide support, companionship, hope, and other health benefits to help people heal from both physical and psychological ailments.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is a Therapy Dog?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike a service dog<\/a>, which is specifically trained to provide a set of services for an individual with specific needs, therapy dogs<\/a> are trained to provide comfort and companionship for individuals who are in an institutionalized setting, such as a hospital or nursing home. Over the past several years, therapy dogs have become more common in other public places where people often need some cheering-up by a visit with a sweet and friendly canine.
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Some examples of the amazing ways therapy dogs touch the lives of those they come into contact with include: 
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