What Are Some Lesser-Known Therapy Dog Activities?
Therapy dogs provide comfort, affection, and joy to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other facilities. While popular activities like visiting patients or reading programs are well known, some lesser-known therapy dog activities can be incredibly impactful too. Here are 15 unique and creative ways therapy dogs are making a difference in people’s lives:
Key Takeaways:
- Therapy dogs help children learn to read through literacy programs
- They provide emotional support to survivors of trauma and violence
- Unique programs involve dogs surfing, dancing, and making art with people
- Therapy dogs assist in courtrooms and with law enforcement investigations
- They participate in programs for employees to de-stress at work
- Dogs provide motivation and support for people in addiction recovery
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Literacy Programs | Therapy dogs listen to children read aloud to help improve literacy skills and confidence. The non-judgemental dogs provide comfort and encouragement to young readers. |
| Trauma/Crisis Response | Dogs are brought to the scenes of traumatic events like shootings to provide immediate emotional support to survivors. Their presence can help calm people and reduce anxiety during an incredibly stressful time. |
| Surfing with Dogs | Special surfing programs pair people with therapy dogs on modified surfboards to find freedom, confidence, and new passions through surfing together. The shared experience builds connection. |
| Dancing with Dogs | Some therapy dog organizations teach simple dance routines that handlers can perform with their dogs to delight and engage people. The interactive dancing aims to lift spirits through movement and play. |
| Art Therapy Programs | Art therapy sessions incorporate therapy dogs as participants in the creative process. People can find motivation, enjoyment and reduced stress through activities like painting portraits of the dogs. |
| Courtroom Dogs | Special therapy dogs may sit near witnesses on the stand in courtrooms to have a calming presence during testimony, especially for children. This can help witnesses communicate and reduce anxiety. |
| Police/Investigations | Therapy dogs aid law enforcement by comforting survivors of violence after incidents and helping build rapport between officers and community members. Some are trained to detect arson accelerants too. |
| Workplace Stress Relief | More workplaces are bringing in therapy dogs for short visits as an innovative way to help employees de-stress, socialize, and feel energized during their workday. The dogs boost morale and productivity. |
| Motivation for Rehab Patients | Rehab and addiction recovery programs may involve therapy dogs as a rewarding motivator. Caring for and bonding with the dogs gives patients purpose during treatment. |
| Hospital Emergency Room Support | Therapy dog teams in hospital ERs can offer comforting distractions for patients in pain, families in distress, and staff experiencing fatigue. The dogs ease tensions in the stressful environment. |
Visiting people with affectionate, gentle therapy dogs clearly provides numerous benefits for emotional health and wellbeing. While common activities like hospital visits are tremendously impactful, lesser-known creative applications of animal-assisted therapy continue to emerge. Programs like surfing, dancing, art therapy, literacy lessons, workplace visits, and rehab support demonstrate the versatile ways these thoughtful dogs can uplift and inspire people facing challenges in diverse settings. Therapy dogs spread joy and improve lives in both ordinary and unexpected ways. Their presence and unconditional love motivate and comfort people every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What unique settings do therapy dogs work in?
A: Therapy dogs serve in a wide variety of settings beyond just healthcare facilities. Some unique places include schools, courthouses, police departments, workplaces, airports, disaster sites, and community centers. Their comforting presence is beneficial in many environments.
Q: How do literacy programs with therapy dogs work?
A: Literacy programs involve children reading aloud to a calm, non-judgemental therapy dog. This helps kids build confidence and skills in reading since the dog will not criticize them. The dog’s presence helps keep the child motivated, engaged, and relaxed during the reading session.
Q: Why are therapy dogs helpful for trauma survivors?
A: Therapy dogs can provide critical emotional support to people immediately after experiencing trauma. Petting an affectionate dog releases oxytocin which helps induce calming effects. The dog’s unconditional compassion, especially in times of crisis, can also restore a sense of security.
Q: What special training do courtroom therapy dogs receive?
A: Courtroom therapy dogs receive specialized training to remain calm and obedient in a courtroom setting with unpredictable noises and strangers approaching it. The dogs must be non-disruptive and unflappable to provide support to testifying witnesses.
Q: How do therapy dogs help motivate patients in rehab?
A: Caring for and bonding with therapy dogs gives rehab patients increased self-worth, purpose, and companionship during treatment. Having a dog to care for provides routine, enjoyable activity which helps motivate patients to keep progressing through recovery.