what are therapy dogs?

About the American Human Association's Animal-Assisted Therapy Program

Therapy Dogs are specially trained by the American Humane Association to help those in need. Under the guidance of a certified clinician, they help to heal people physically, emotionally, cognitively, and socially. Every case is different and requires a particular area of expertise. These dogs are ready to take on many challenges with their unconditional love.

What is the goal of the American Humane Association?

As the nation's voice for the protection of children and animals, a vital part of American Humane Association's mission is to utilize positive human-animal interaction to help build healthy, humane communities. We have built, fostered, and nurtured a profound understanding of the special relationship that exists between human beings and the animals that are an inseparable part of our lives and culture.

One of the many ways that this relationship is illustrated is through American Humane Association's Animal-Assisted Therapy Program, a goal-directed intervention in which a specially trained animal that meets specific criteria becomes an integral part of a person's learning or healing process.

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

American Humane Association's Animal-Assisted Therapy Program has been providing services to the health care, child welfare, education and military services fields for more than 10 years. In 2010 alone, our volunteers and their therapy animals touched the lives of more than 130,000 people at over 50 facilities.

Our animal-assisted therapy teams work with diverse ages, genders, socioeconomic and cultural populations in a variety of settings. They conduct visits in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, long-term care centers, residential treatment homes, hospice, mental health facilities and others types of facilities.

Why is Animal-Assisted Therapy work important?

Over the years health care professionals have noticed the therapeutic effect of animal interactions with humans. Research shows animal-assisted therapy can lower blood pressure, can lower stress, can enhance a patient's ability to progress towards physical & psychological wellness. And, in recent years, trained therapy animals have been engaged to work with children to help overcome speech and emotional disorders.

What makes a great Therapy Dog?

A great therapy dog is friendly, confident, and likes visiting with humans more than other animals! It is controllable, predictable and completely non-aggressive in any situation. A great therapy dog will initiate contact, stay engaged, and allow their behaviors to be re-directed. And, of course, a therapy dog is free of any signs of ill-health and current on all its vaccinations.