Therapy Dogs Working with Alzheimer's Impacted Individuals
Several studies on therapy dogs have shown that interaction with them can result in both physical and psychological benefits for Alzheimer's-impacted individuals. What is a therapy dog? How does one own a therapy dog? What is the process to train, certify, and register a therapy dog? Learn the answers to these questions and more below!
What is a Therapy Dog?
Therapy dogs are part of a larger category of therapy known as animal-assisted intervention. Therapy dogs are pets that act as companions to their owners. Therapy dogs work in specific settings for the benefit of clients or residents.
What Does Research Show About Therapy Animals?
Research shows that interacting with therapy dogs can provide psychological and physical benefits to both the dog and the person they are assisting. Studies indicate that an engaged, trained, and well-mannered therapy dog elicits feelings of security, calm, and peace in clients.
Registering a Therapy Dog
If you want to own a therapy dog, the process, while simple, takes time and effort. Here are the three main steps to registering a therapy dog:
1. Identify Your Dog
Choosing a therapy dog is the first and most important step. Therapy dogs are often raised from puppyhood and trained to be service dogs. Clients might choose a dog from a breeder or via adoption and enroll them in a service animal training program. Others might purchase a service dog from a program.
It's important to research various dog breeds adequately. Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers, among other breeds, tend to be well suited to become therapy dogs due to their friendly natures and trainability.
2. Train Your Therapy Dog
Ideally, training for a service or therapy dog begins as soon as possible. It's helpful if a dog can be trained from the beginning of its life. If you are starting training with a dog who is a few months or years old, it's best to try to begin the training process as soon as you choose your dog.
3. Register Your Dog
Most therapy dog certification organizations require dogs to be fully updated on all vaccines and to be at least one year old. Owners provide documentation from the dog's veterinarian about the potential therapy dog's age, vaccination records, and health history.
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