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Therapy Dogs:

Providing Emotional Support to Those in Need

Therapy dogs are trained to provide psychological or physiological therapy to individuals and are commonly used in schools, nursing homes and hospitals.
Therapy training is not as extensive as programs for service dogs, and typically includes an obedience class, exposing dogs to a variety of situations they might encounter in a therapeutic setting, and a certification class.

Therapy Dogs

Hover over the dog to find out more about how therapy dogs are equipped to help their partners.

BODY Therapy dogs are accustomed to being touched and petted by people who may act differently than others due to illness or a disability. VOICE Therapy dogs love interacting with people. They do not bark at strangers or in unfamiliar settings. EYES A therapy dog can lend a nonjudgmental ear to children who need to improve their reading skills. EARS A therapy dog can lend a nonjudgmental ear to children who need to improve their reading skills. TAIL Therapy dogs are compassionate and friendly companions and often are wagging their tails.
TAIL Therapy dogs are compassionate and friendly companions and often are wagging their tails. EARS A therapy dog can lend a nonjudgmental ear to children who need to improve their reading skills. EYES Therapy dogs have warm and soft glances. They voluntarily approach strangers and make eye contact to try to develop social and emotional relationships. VOICE Therapy dogs love interacting with people. They do not bark at strangers or in unfamiliar settings. BODY Therapy dogs are accustomed to being touched and petted by people who may act differently than others due to illness or a disability.

Therapy Dogs Volunteer Experience

As part of Magnolia Paws for Compassion, employees in Eisai’s offices are provided the opportunity to have their own pets trained as therapy dogs. Read more from employees about their rewarding experiences volunteering with patients.

Frank

Frank & Tony

During our visits to an assisted living facility, it has been great to see Tony’s ability to connect with different people. Tony gives everyone something positive to focus on; people who were initially wary about approaching him have now become some of his best friends.

Diana

Diana & Ash

It has been a heartwarming experience seeing the joy that Ash brings to those we visit at our healthcare center. It’s interesting to see how a visit from Ash can brighten their day and how we feel after the visit knowing that we enjoyed sharing Ash.

Tiernan

Tiernan & Dobby

Visiting the memory care residence with Dobby was a very rewarding experience. I have engaged with many dementia patients in the past, however this visit allowed me to interact with them in their own comfort zone. They were delighted to meet Dobby, and he was only too happy to get pets and stretches from them. He wears his emotions on his tail and this was noticed by all who met with him.

Kilus

Kilus & Buddy

I knew that the therapy dog program was the way to share Buddy with the “world.” Everyone loves Buddy, and he was the friendliest and most lovable of his training classmates because he simply loves to be petted! I very much look forward to sharing Buddy with patients.

Living Healthy

Research suggests interaction with dogs can promote health and well-being by providing companionship, emotional support and comfort to their handlers. Interaction with dogs can improve blood pressure, heart rate, stress, depression, anxiety, pain, fatigue and social functioning.

Living Healthy

Use Your Furry Friend as Motivation and Establish a Routine

Walking has a number of health benefits for your pooch - and you! Research has found dog walking can improve a dog owner’s physical activity levels, and the motivation and encouragement provided by animals may strengthen engagement in a weight loss program.

Emotional Health Benefits

There are also emotional benefits to walking a dog, including providing companionship, which has been found to decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Socialize With Your Dog

Go to the park with your dog, and you may find that you’re chatting with more people than you would otherwise. Dogs are a great way of breaking the ice.

Resources

Resources

Check out additional information on service dogs and the rights of their owners

Learn More >