Dog Training and Dog Therapy: Understanding How It All Works

Dogs are known as “man’s best friend” — and for good reason. They are renowned for providing their owners with unconditional love, constant companionship, emotional support, and unwavering loyalty.
This explains why so many therapy animals are dogs. The U.S. is home to over 50,000 of them, and that number is increasing annually as the dog training and dog therapy fields grow like never before.
Discover how these animals are trained, their benefits, and where you can take advantage of animal-assisted therapy.
How Therapy Dogs Are Trained
Before they see human patients, dogs must undergo the proper training. This will start with dog training and dog therapy experts teaching them how to be on their best behavior.
They will learn vital skills like:
Responding to basic obedience commands
Knowing how to stay calm and focused despite distractions
Walking on a loose leash
They are also placed into various socialization situations to ensure they get along with people of all ages and behave in different settings, such as hospitals, schools, etc. They must be capable of working with everyone, from young children to older adults and all those in between, without missing a beat.
The training regimen for these pups doesn’t end there, either. They must also earn a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification from the American Kennel Club.
Some will even continue training after they start assisting people during sessions. For example, they can earn the title of AKC Therapy Dog after finishing their first 50 patient visits.
What Benefits Therapy Dogs Provide
Canines have offered therapeutic benefits to humans for centuries. In recent years, studies have suggested that therapy dogs may offer assistance to humans in many ways.
This 2023 study, for instance, revealed that they may help:
Improve mood
Minimize depression
Alleviate anxiety
Reduce anger
Boost self-esteem
From a mental health perspective, their non-judgmental presence during sessions can work wonders for patients. It often makes people feel more comfortable opening up to therapists who work with properly trained animals.
Where To Schedule Animal-Assisted Sessions
After hearing more about dog training and dog therapy, does participating in animal-assisted sessions appeal to you? This is how to schedule your first session:
Find a licensed therapist who offers animal-assisted sessions.
Meet with this therapist to ensure you have a good rapport.
Meet with an animal to see what the experience is like.
Make sure a therapist and an animal have experience working with those suffering from your condition.
Ask how exactly a therapist and an animal can help with your specific issue.
Call Us for More Information on Incorporating Animals Into Your Sessions
At Unleashed Counseling, we are big believers in utilizing dog training and dog therapy to help our patients. We have several pups — such as Benji, a beagle and hound mix, and Frankie, a pug — who work closely with our experienced therapists to assist patients with their mental health issues.
Contact us at 484-933-4370 today to see whether animal-assisted sessions would suit you.