An unfortunate soul lies motionless in his hospital room.  A young wife desperate for her husband to wake sobs while holding her children.  BeBe, a cute Jack Russell Terrier trained in canine therapy enters the room with her handler.  No words are spoken and none are needed.  BeBe is placed on the bed and cuddles next to the patient, sliding her head under his motionless hand.  The family smiles and laughs for a while. “What a sweet little dog!” mother exclaims over and over as tears slide down her cheeks.

What is Canine Pet Therapy?

Canine therapy is a service that is provided by people and their certified canines.  Studies have shown that a patient's blood pressure is lowered and the immune system is strengthened when interacting with a companion animal.  Residents in facilities become bored and lonely.  Canine visits lift the spirits and in some cases eliminate or reduce the need for psychotropic drugs.

Therapy dogs are also useful in physical therapy.  Grooming, petting or throwing a ball can increase range of motion and provide low impact exercise for the residents.

Certifying dogs for Pet Therapy is very important because it insures the pet owner in case of an incident.  It is also important for the facility to know that an animal is tested and determined to be safe to visit residents.

Canine Therapy is the process of sharing your dog’s love with others. Dog owners experience this unconditional love everyday!

Contact us today for more information on our next canine therapy certification class!