Best Companion Dog for Anxious Dog

Dogs have long been cherished companions, offering comfort, loyalty, and unconditional love. But they can be much more than just pets. In recent years, therapy dogs and emotional support dogs (ESDs) have become increasingly important in various settings, from hospitals and schools to the workplace and private homes. This article explores the differences between these two types of support dogs, and their roles and benefits.

Therapy Dogs vs Emotional Support Dogs: Key Differences

While both therapy dogs and emotional support dogs provide comfort and support, there are important differences between them:

• Therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort and affection to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other settings. They are registered and work with their handlers to visit multiple people in need. They are not the same as service dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities.
• Emotional support dogs (ESDs) provide companionship and emotional support to individuals with mental health conditions. Unlike therapy dogs, they are not trained for specific tasks and are typically prescribed by a mental health professional to be kept by a specific individual. They are not granted the same legal rights as service dogs in most countries.

The Role of Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs and their handlers visit places like hospitals, schools, care homes, and disaster sites. They provide comfort and reduce anxiety for people in distress. The presence of a therapy dog can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and improve mood. Therapy dogs are used in various contexts:

• Medical settings: Therapy dogs visit patients in hospitals or care homes, providing comfort during difficult times.
• Mental health settings: They can be used in therapeutic environments to assist with treatment of conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
• Educational settings: Therapy dogs in schools can help reduce stress and anxiety in children and improve their social and emotional development.
• Disaster response: Trained therapy dogs can provide comfort to victims, responders, and witnesses in the aftermath of traumatic events.

Benefits of Therapy Dogs

Research indicates numerous benefits of interacting with therapy dogs:

• Reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol
• Increased levels of oxytocin (a hormone associated with bonding and happiness)
• Lower blood pressure and heart rate
• Reduced anxiety and fear
• Improved mood and emotional wellbeing
• Increased social interaction

Emotional Support Dogs

Emotional support dogs offer a more personal form of support. They are prescribed by mental health professionals to individuals who may have conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, or PTSD. The key benefits are the constant companionship and emotional support they provide to their specific owner. While they do not have the same public access rights as service dogs, they can provide valuable support in the home environment. In the UK, there is no formal legal recognition of ESDs, and they do not have the access rights afforded to assistance dogs under the Equality Act 2010.