Therapy Dogs UK: How They Can Enhance Patient Care
In recent years, the use of therapy dogs has risen in the UK. A pet who has been trained as a therapy dog can make a significant difference in a person’s emotional well-being, and they can serve patients in a variety of settings. Here, we’ll discuss therapy dogs in the UK and how they can impact patient well-being.
Therapy dogs in the UK
Where can you find a therapy dog?
Therapy dogs are often used in hospitals and other care facilities, such as rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. They can be used in many different clinical areas, including during speech therapy and physical therapy. While animal therapy isn’t typically something that people sign up for, some hospitals may ask incoming patients if they would be open to a visit from a therapy dog. Volunteers then bring a therapy dog to their room at some point during their stay. Therapy dogs may also sometimes be brought to school settings to support students.
Is an assistance dog the same as a therapy dog?
Assistance dogs tend to have a different role from that of therapy dogs. Assistance dogs are typically specifically trained to help a person living with a disability, a medical condition, or a mental health condition, such as epilepsy, diabetes, or post-traumatic stress disorder. They’re usually owned by an individual and go with them everywhere. After going through assistance dog training, they may be able to provide practical support, such as sensing when the person may be about to have an episode or fetching items that they may need, as well as emotional support and comfort.
Therapy dogs, on the other hand, tend to be owned by organizations or institutions and are brought around to make visits to various individuals each day. Through these visits, they may help enhance therapy and improve the emotional well-being of patients who are living with mental and/or physical health conditions.
What does dog training consist of?
Training for therapy dogs first requires approval of each individual dog by a certified organization, like Pets as Therapy in the UK. There are typically requirements that each dog must meet. For example, some organizations that certify assistance dogs require that the pet dog be at least nine months old and that they have been with their owner for at least nine months. Then, the dog will typically be trained to perform specific functions for their owner or handlers. One of the keys to dog training is usually positive reinforcement, which rewards desired behavior.
What can therapy dogs help with?
Therapy dogs can be used to improve the daily functioning and/or emotional well-being of individuals in many different types of situations. They might be used with young people in schools, like to help children and adolescents on the autism spectrum or to support students with behavioral challenges in gaining a sense of calm, which may improve behavioral and academic outcomes.
Therapy dogs might also be used to lift the spirits of patients with cancer or other serious medical conditions. In terms of mental health, therapy dogs may help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders.
Psychotherapy to complement animal therapy
Therapy dogs may be helpful for those living with mental health conditions, but they are typically not a standalone treatment. Individuals experiencing mental health challenges are generally also encouraged to speak with a credentialed therapist. Therapy can often help address symptoms of a variety of mental health conditions, from anxiety disorders and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. It may also help people who are experiencing emotional effects of medical conditions or a disability or who are going through major life transitions.
While therapy can be a helpful tool for many, some people might live in a UK region with few therapists. Others might prefer to speak with a therapist outside their immediate community. In these and other cases, online therapy can often be a viable alternative. With online therapy, individuals can communicate remotely with a credentialed therapist from home, no matter where they live in the UK. They can choose a method of communication that’s comfortable for them, such as audio, video, or live chat.
Over the last decade, numerous studies have suggested the efficacy of online therapy in helping individuals address mental health symptoms and emotional challenges. For example, one systematic review and meta-analysis on the topic suggests that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective for treating a number of mental health conditions, including depression, social anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and bipolar disorder.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
How can you get your dog into therapy dog training in the UK?
The specific requirements for dog training may vary across different organizations. For example, to apply to have your dog trained and approved as a therapy dog, some organizations require that you have had your dog for at least six months. Your dog typically also has to be at least nine months old. Other common requirements include full vaccination and a passing score on a temperament test.
What disabilities qualify for an assistance dog in the UK?
The disabilities that qualify for an assistance dog in the UK typically include blindness, deafness, certain mental health conditions, and mobility challenges. Assistance dogs can often increase independence and quality of life for those living with a disability.
What is the best dog for mental health support?
Some of the best dogs for mental health support tend to be Golden Retrievers, Poodles, and Labradors. However, other breeds may also be considered by some organizations.
Are therapy dogs UK recognized?
Therapy dogs typically don’t have the same right to enter public spaces as official medical assistance dogs. However, they may be able to enter places that operate dog therapy programs, like hospitals and clinics.
What are animal-assisted therapy dogs?
Animal-assisted therapy dogs typically accompany therapists during therapeutic interventions. For example, they may be used in physical therapy or speech therapy.
What animals can serve as therapy animals?
Aside from dogs, therapy animals can include cats, birds, horses, and rabbits. That said, dogs tend to be the most common animals used for therapeutic purposes.
How much is a therapy dog in the UK?
The cost of a therapy dog depends on your chosen program and whether you adopt or purchase your own pet dog. If you’re trying to buy an assistance dog for your own disability, you might pay more or get a dog through a program. A fully-trained service dog that provides tasks to someone with special needs or a disability can often cost thousands of dollars. Therapy dog programs for training a dog to do therapy dog work can cost around 100 to 1000 pounds, depending on the program and whether you do one-on-one training. To get a service dog for yourself, you may be able to apply for assistance through a national charity.
What is the difference between a therapy dog and an emotional support dog?
A therapy dog is trained to support groups of people in specific settings, such as all the children in a group home or the adults living in a nursing home or hospital. These dogs are often temperament tested, trained, and able to provide comfort and calm, stable energy to those they support. An emotional support dog or emotional support animal (ESA) does not carry the same duties. ESAs are pets that provide emotional support and comfort to their owner and no one else. Although they are often greatly appreciated by their owners, these pets do not have access to public spaces where service dogs can go, nor are they specially trained. They are permitted to live with someone in any housing.
How can you get a therapy dog for free?
Getting a therapy dog for free may be difficult, as you may have to pay for training to get your dog certified to be a therapy dog for others. If you’re trying to get a service dog or ESA, you may also have difficulty, as these dogs can be costly. Look into organizations that provide funding for people to get assistance animals for a disability. You can also get a free pet from someone who is rehoming their dog and then pay for the dog to be trained to be a therapy dog, which may be a more affordable option.
What is the most common type of therapy dog?
Any breed of dog can be a therapy dog. Still, the dog's temperament must be calm, collected, and intelligent to be adequately trained to handle sensitive populations. Dogs that bark, nip, or jump on people are not suited to be therapy dogs. Dogs with good temperaments may include golden retrievers, labs, Newfoundlands, and other big dogs bred to be calm, working dogs. A shelter dog or mixed breed can also be a therapy dog but must still pass temperament tests and obedience training.
- Previous Article
- Next Article