Cute button-like eyes, wagging tails, and a furball of energy—this image usually stirs multiple positive emotions in most of our minds. This is one reason therapy dogs are increasingly being used in various psychological settings. Dogs have often been referred to as humans’ best friends, and multiple studies have examined their effectiveness in helping individuals dealing with psychological disorders.
What Are Therapy Dogs?
Torrey (2025) defines therapy dogs as pets that improve health by providing emotional support. Therapy dogs usually live in people’s homes, but they may also visit retirement or nursing homes, schools, hospice centres, and hospitals. They are trained to be gentle and friendly and to remain comfortable when strangers hug or pet them.
History of Therapy Dogs
The history of therapy dogs dates back to the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Florence Nightingale was a prominent figure associated with the early use of animals in therapeutic settings. Her observations during the Crimean War highlighted the positive effects of animals on patients’ well-being, making her one of the earliest individuals to recognise their therapeutic value before the practice was formally established.
Sigmund Freud also used his dog, Jofi, during some therapy sessions and observed its calming influence on patients. During World War II, dogs boosted soldiers’ morale and provided companionship to wounded veterans. Organisations such as the American Red Cross implemented programs in which dogs visited hospitals to uplift patients’ spirits.
The first official organisation, Therapy Dogs International (TDI), was established in 1976 by Elaine Smith. TDI introduced standardised testing and certification processes for dogs and their handlers to ensure that they met specific criteria for temperament and behaviour.
Research on the Effectiveness of Therapy Dogs
Pruskowski et al. (2020) conducted a study involving patients at a burn centre. After one year, all patients reported that they wanted additional sessions with therapy dogs. Staff members were satisfied or very satisfied with the visits, and most reported an improvement in mood after interacting with the dogs. The study demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and desirability of implementing a therapy-dog program in a burn centre.
Kirnan et al. (2015) conducted mixed-method research on reading skills and attitudes toward reading among schoolchildren. The study found significant improvement specifically among kindergarten students, with children in the dog-reading group achieving higher end-of-year reading scores than the control group. Interviews also indicated improvements in reading and writing skills, enthusiasm, and attitudes toward reading across grade levels. The greatest perceived gains were observed among students receiving special education, students learning English as a second language, and children who struggled with reading.
Hunjan et al. (2023) examined the effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on depression, memory, attention, and emotion regulation. A pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was used. The Psychology Experiment Building Language (PEBL) tasks assessed memory and attention, while the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) assessed emotional regulation and depressive symptoms. Assessments were conducted one week before and after the intervention.
The findings indicated that AAT positively affected memory, attention, emotion regulation, and depressive symptoms in the experimental group. No significant changes were observed in the control group. However, some studies suggest that animal-assisted therapy combined with a therapeutic intervention may, in certain cases, produce outcomes similar to the therapeutic intervention alone.
Animal-Assisted Therapy in India
Several organisations in India provide animal-assisted therapy. The Animal Angels Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation focused on human–animal interaction and animal-assisted interventions. Its team includes trained therapy dogs, pet parents, volunteers, and mental health professionals who provide programs based on human–animal interaction.
The Canisamicus Foundation in Kolkata is another not-for-profit organisation dedicated to service-dog programs and animal-assisted interventions. It brings together clinical psychologists, developmental paediatricians, veterinary specialists, and ethologists to raise service dogs and support effective interventions.
Ethical Considerations
Despite its benefits, animal-assisted therapy involves several ethical considerations. The physical and psychological well-being of therapy dogs must be protected. To reduce the risk of harm to patients, dogs should be properly assessed to ensure that they are not aggressive or unfriendly. They must receive appropriate training, rest, veterinary care, and responsible handling.
Thus, although the endearing eyes and gentle presence of therapy dogs can offer comfort, proper precautions must be taken when administering animal-assisted therapy.