From offering comfort in times of distress to aiding individuals with disabilities in their daily tasks, animals can play a powerful role in treatment plans.
Although various types of animals undergo training to assist individuals with disabilities, dogs are the most common choice for service and emotional support animals, per Disabled American Veterans.
How are dogs used for emotional support?
Studies show even brief interactions with dogs or other animals reduce cortisol and help individuals struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder or recovering from trauma, per The New York Times.
Nancy Gee, who oversees the Center for Human-Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University, told The New York Times, “Dogs have become incredibly adept at socializing with humans, so they’re sensitive to our emotional state.”
According to the ADA National Network, an emotional support dog can:
- Provide companionship.
- Lessen loneliness.
- Help with depression.
- Help with anxiety.
- Reduce some phobias.
Real-life examples of dogs supporting emotional health
Therapy dogs helping victims of shootings
Three third-graders and three staff members were killed during a shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville last year. As part of their healing process, many families in the school community have adopted dogs, according to The New York Times.
Rachel Bolton, a mother of kids who were at the school during the shooting, told The New York Times that though she’s not a dog person, their new dog “has healed this family.”
In another example, 11 golden retrievers from the Lutheran Church Charities’ K-9 Comfort Dogs organization came to Orlando after 50 people were killed and another 53 were wounded in the Pulse nightclub shooting, according to The Huffington Post.
Tim Hetzner, president of Lutheran Church Charities, told HuffPost, “Dogs can help. They’re like a furry counsel. They’re not judgmental and they’re good listeners, which is good because talking is an important part of healing process. It allows people to process what happened.”
The group’s dogs were also on the scene for the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting and Boston marathon bombing, per HuffPost.
Airport therapy dogs
According to The Washington Post, airport therapy dogs help passengers with nerves and anxiety before flights.
Tara Hoover, who heads the Pittsburgh International Airport therapy dog program PIT PAWS(Pups Alleviating Worry and Stress), told The Washington Post, “My very first day — I’ll never forget it — we sat with a passenger in tears. She was so scared and nervous. … I sat with her for a while and she just sat there and was petting (a dog) just talking, trying to pass the time.”
Therapy dogs helping hospital patients
In Fishers, Indiana, the Ascension St. Vincent hospital recently welcomed therapy dogs. Staff members believed they saw an improvement in patients’ blood pressure, heart rate and endorphin production as a result, according to WRTV Indianapolis.
Sandy Manwaring, a clinical supervisor at the hospital told WRTV Indianapolis, “You could see the joy and comfort they bring to our patients.”
Therapy dogs helping veterans
K9s For Warriors, a group working to “prevent and end veteran suicide with service dogs trained to support individuals with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury or military sexual trauma,” has paired 1,000 veterans with service dogs throughout the U.S, per DVM 360.
Charlie, a Navy veteran, told DVM 360, “If it wasn’t for Slider (my dog), I wouldn’t be here today. He not only helped me, but he helped my family, he helped me get my life back.”
After the loss of Slider, Charlie noticed himself spiraling. He contacted K9s For Warriors and was paired with another service dog, Lady Cameo. She continues to help Charlie and his family, according to DVM 360.
How do dogs improve physical health?
Per Purdue University, service dogs can help individuals with mobility and alert them to an approaching medical issue.
According to ADA.gov, service dogs can provide the following types of support:
- Retrieving objects, such as medications.
- Performing a task, such as opening and closing doors.
- Protecting individuals from a fall.
- Detecting gluten.
- Alerting individuals of an upcoming medical emergency, such as a seizure.
Service dogs also provide emotional support to their owners, such as comfort during a medical emergency. However, to qualify as a service animal, they must perform specific tasks to help individuals with disabilities, per Chewy.
Real-life examples of service dogs
Service dogs detecting medical emergencies
Medical Detection Dogs, a charity in the U.K., trains dogs to find medical conditions from traces of odor, according to The Mirror.
Juanita, who suffers from asthma and anaphylactic allergies, approached the charity to get her dog Toffee training to become a medical alert assistance dog.
“He has totally transformed my life. He will not be diverted if he wants to alert me and if I’m not capable of responding he will bark and try to alert others until someone is made aware. He can even bring me my phone, or medication. He is my hero,” Juanita told Mirror.
Similarly, ABC News reported on a service dog that alerted Shannon Boggs and her husband late one night that something was wrong with their daughter, a 9-year-old who has Type 1 diabetes.
The couple checked their daughter’s blood sugar and found that it was at a dangerous level. As it turned out, the daughter’s glucose monitor, since it was new, was still calibrating, meaning the glucose levels were not being accurately checked. Without Spy, the Boggs’ daughter could have been in a more serious condition, according to ABC News.
“The nose ALWAYS knows! Even when it’s sleeping. This dog is such a blessing to our family! We truly can’t be more thankful,” Boggs shared on Instagram about the incident, according to ABC News.
Service dogs detecting allergies
Kendra Williams, from San Diego, California, suffers from Celiac disease. After experiencing numerous episodes of illness due to gluten consumption, she made the decision to acquire a gluten-detection dog, which she named Suki, per Newsweek.
“Suki eliminates the fear that something I am eating may make me sick. With Suki, I can enjoy a meal at a restaurant without fear that I may be out of commission for a week or longer,” Williams told Newsweek.
Hayden Kreikemeier also has a severe allergy. To help him avoid peanuts, he got a Labrador retriever, Trixie, who sniffs out 12 different kinds of nuts at school, home or while out with friends, according to Good Morning America.Kelly Kreikemeier, Hayden’s mom, told Good Morning America, “You can’t put a price on (Trixie) for what she’s done for my family.”
Service dogs helping individuals with disabilities
Sally Alexander is blind and has hearing loss. While it is possible for her to go on errands if she has her hearing aids and walking cane, it has become difficult due to the loud noises of traffic, sirens and other sounds, per Public Source.
Alexander has had a number of guide dogs over the years to help her feel comfortable with daily tasks and heading outside. Her current dog’s name is Ozzy, according to Public Source.
“To walk outside independently again, to pull my weight running errands. ... To have the double-checking help of his intelligent disobedience, to move exhilaratingly along stretches of sidewalk. To bask in his mischief and play, and to have the adoration of a warm, loving beast — well, to me, all these qualities make a new guide not just worthwhile, but essential,” Alexander told Public Source.
I copied that article above from a website claiming how dogs can be healing to us, and I couldn't agree more. Dogs have long been known as man's best friend, but their benefits go far beyond companionship. These loyal and loving creatures have a unique ability to heal us physically, emotionally, and mentally in ways that no other form of therapy can match. The bond between humans and dogs is a powerful one, and the positive impact they have on our lives cannot be overstated. I know personally, my puppy Gunnar is one of the main reasons I get up everyday aside from my partner, Douglas.
He provides us with unconditional love and companionship, but he also has the incredible ability to heal us in so many different ways. I love him more than anything, and just looking at him makes me smile. I want to point out how dogs heal us in all these different ways from physically to emotionally...
From physical health benefits to emotional support and mental well-being, dogs have a special way of bringing joy and healing into our lives. Physically, the presence of a dog can have a positive impact on our health. Studies have shown that owning a dog can lead to lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and decreased levels of stress hormones. The simple act of petting a dog can release feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as oxytocin and serotonin, which can help to improve our mood and overall sense of well-being. Additionally, dogs require regular exercise, which can help to keep their owners active and healthy as well. Whether it's going for a walk, playing fetch in the backyard, or simply cuddling on the couch, dogs encourage us to stay active and engaged in physical activity.
Emotionally, dogs provide us with a sense of comfort and companionship that is unmatched by any other animal. They are always there for us, ready to offer a listening ear or a comforting snuggle when we're feeling down. Dogs have an incredible ability to sense our emotions and provide us with the support and love that we need in times of distress. Whether we're feeling sad, anxious, or lonely, our furry friends are there to offer us a sense of peace and unconditional love that can help to lift our spirits and improve our emotional well-being.
Mentally, dogs can also have a profound impact on our mental health. For those struggling with conditions such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, dogs can provide a sense of comfort and security that can help to alleviate symptoms and improve overall mental well-being. Dogs offer a sense of routine and structure in our lives, which can be incredibly beneficial for those struggling with mental health issues. Additionally, the companionship and love that dogs provide can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common struggles for many individuals dealing with mental health challenges.
In addition to the physical, emotional, and mental health benefits of owning a dog, dogs can also serve as a form of support for those in need. Therapy dogs, for example, are specially trained to provide comfort and support to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other settings. These dogs can help to reduce anxiety, provide emotional support, and improve the overall well-being of those they interact with. Service dogs are also trained to assist individuals with disabilities, providing them with the support and assistance they need to navigate their daily lives with greater independence and confidence.
In conclusion, dogs truly are incredible creatures that have the power to heal us in so many different ways. From physical health benefits to emotional support and mental well-being, dogs offer us a sense of comfort, companionship, and love that is truly unmatched. Whether you're feeling stressed, anxious, or simply in need of a friend, a dog can provide you with the support and healing that you need to live a happier, healthier life. So next time you're feeling down or in need of a pick-me-up, just remember that your furry friend is always there for you, ready to offer you a wagging tail and a loving lick to remind you that everything will be okay.
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