The Impact of Canine-Assisted Therapy
The therapeutic benefits of canine-assisted therapy are far reaching. Aside from some of the better-known positive physiological aspects of interacting with a therapy dog, such as the release of oxytocin or lowering of blood pressure, growth in the areas of empathy, emotional stability, interpersonal relationships, willingness to engage in therapy or counseling, retention, and more has been observed across the spectrum of canine-assisted therapy dog uses. Ongoing research into the benefits of therapy dogs in first responder facilities is already showing promise when discussing increased engagement, employee retention, reported job satisfaction scores, and willingness to seek and engage in additional therapeutic activities, as well as a reflection of these positive impacts within the community the department serves.
