Benefits of Therapy Dogs

During my senior year in high school one of the clubs on campus decided to bring therapy dogs onto campus.  This occurred at the beginning of finals week, with the purpose to promote positivity and happiness during a stressful time of year.  This made me wonder if having these dogs on campus actually took away stress for students and overall created a more cheerful vibe on campus.

Positivity, and the act of lifting ones spirits is the ultimate goal of these therapy dogs.  A study was done with 40 college student.  Half of them took all their tests without ever being in the presence of a therapy dog and the other half took the first exam without the therapy dogs but all the following having used the therapy dogs.  Both groups received similar scores on the first tests but for the preceding ones, the students who used the therapy dogs did significantly better.  It is proven that the usage of therapy dogs decrease anxiety and overall stress levels.  This decrease in stress results in students being able to focus more on their tasks at hand without outside distractions.  They are happier going into tests which allows them to remain more calm; resulting in higher test scores.

These therapy dogs are clinically proven to fight depression in humans.  It has been clinically proven by “Rebecca Johnson, Ph.D., RN, of the University of Missouri-Columbia Center for the Study of Animal Wellness” that the second a human pets a dog large quantities of endorphins are released causing individuals great happiness and actually treating and fighting depression. Just having a therapy dog present could clinically cure someone of depression without the use of heavy drugs and costly therapy treatments.  The patients did not know that the outcome of being in the presence of a therapy dogs would greatly help them with their depression, nor did the doctors working with them.  Although this is true, not in every case can a therapy dog help someone fight off their depression; but it is worth in it the cases where is truly will help individuals.

These dogs are like a magic drug, bringing pure joy and happiness to all those around them.  With this being said, it is worth a try to those fighting depression or ones constantly stressed to spend time with these therapy dogs and see what the outcome of the situation result in.

Dogs-make-people-healthier

Dogs are humans best medicine

6 thoughts on “Benefits of Therapy Dogs

  1. Samantha Marie Grillo

    I fully agree with this article. Every time I see a dog on campus, or even a picture of one online, I get really excited and happy. Dogs are just fun to be around and they make you forget about any problems that you might be dealing with. I personally believe there should be dogs all over campus: the more dogs on campus, the happier the valley.

  2. Gwyneth Mulliken

    I totally agree with this article! I believe there are so many factors that play into the comfort of dogs. I personally am so happy when around my dog. It is a constant support system and love. I think therapy dogs are a great idea for people who are struggling with certain problems in their life. It gives people a reason to be happy and take care of something.

  3. Megan Wong

    I totally agree with your post! Every time I’m around a dog or see one I become instantly happier. Several colleges actually provide puppy therapy and I wish Penn State was one of them.

  4. Lauren Dattilo

    I am a huge lover of dogs, so I have always wished that Penn State would bring some therapy dogs on campus! I always have felt at peace when petting my dog, but I never knew that dogs can effect one’s endorphins! I foundI found some other ways to naturally get one’s endorphins going, such as smelling lavender or laughing daily (but petting dogs is totally better).

  5. Lauren Dattilo

    I am a huge lover of dogs, so I have always wished that Penn State would bring some therapy dogs on campus! I always have felt at peace when petting my dog, but I never knew that dogs can effect one’s endorphins! I foundI found some other ways to naturally get one’s endorphins going, such as smelling lavender or laughing daily (but petting dogs is totally better).

  6. Victoria Atkinson Scott

    My good friend’s dog is a therapy dog! I am so intrigued by him, it is absolutely amazing. He knows when he is at “work” (or at the hospital) and is so friendly and can do so many tricks. I am always amazed by dogs intelligence. Look here for more information on how intelligent dogs really are! http://petrix.com/dogint/

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