How trained therapy dogs help people living with anxiety disorders

In addition to being ‘man’s best friend’, experts now know that owning a pet (particularly a dog or cat) has multiple benefits for our mental health.¹

“In a home setting, dogs can help their humans relax and get grounded when feeling anxious and stressed,” says Karen Donnelly, Vice President of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi).

“Caring for a dog provides a distraction and encourages people to engage in exercise and [get] out into the community. Dogs are also great for helping us socialise and meet new people as they are a great conversation starter and often approach people for pats.”

But it’s not just pet pups that can help ease our stress and bring a smile to our faces. For people with a diagnosed anxiety disorder, a trained therapy dog may offer their own unique level of support.

“The presence of a therapy dog can improve client engagement, [increasing] motivation to attend and participate in therapy while decreasing physiological arousal and stress levels,” explains Donnelly, who provides animal-assisted therapy with her rescue greyhound, Millie.

“Millie helps people calm and regulate quickly (often in just a few minutes of patting) while they continue talking with me,” Donnelly says. “Millie also supports my therapeutic interventions as I can discuss her own anxiety and phobias, and this helps people better understand their anxiety and stress levels.”

Dogs are generally happy to see people and accept pats, which Donnelly says also boosts mood and wellbeing.

“Dogs are non-judgmental. Many people say they feel their secrets are safe with Millie.”

A therapy dog can also provide the physical comfort and support that psychologists can’t (due to strict ethical guidelines), which is often helpful in a practice setting, adds Donnelly.

“One study found that individuals who interacted with their pets for more than 5 minutes had lower scores on stress and higher scores on positive mood.² Millie will often stand beside and offer her head for pats to clients who are crying or distressed. Clients will often hug her and find her physical interaction very comforting.”

It’s important that people are aware of the difference between an emotional-support dog, a therapy dog and service dogs, adds Donnelly. Service dogs can access most places in the community and trained therapy dogs can access some healthcare and care environments, while emotional-support dogs can usually only access the places that pets can visit.

Not everyone has access to a certified therapy dog, but even our beloved pets can help reduce anxiety in humans.

“Spending time with dogs is beneficial for our health in many ways,” says Donnelly. “Dogs provide us with emotional comfort, support and companionship. Dog owners are therefore less prone to bouts of loneliness, anxiety and depression.”

Pups also encourage us to be active, she adds, and help us practice mindfulness without even trying.

“When we sit with our dog, we sense their love for us, and it helps put our everyday problems into perspective. Being in the present moment helps us fully appreciate life. Mindfulness can help relieve stress and improves overall health.”

Dogs can help anxiety sufferers lead happier, calmer lives, but it’s important to choose the right dog for the job. According to Donnelly, this really comes down to your needs and lifestyle.

“People should consider how a dog can help their mental health and wellbeing and reflect on the qualities they would be looking for,” she suggests. “For example, if someone is looking for a dog to help with anxiety and stress, a dog with a calmer personality and lower energy levels would probably be more suitable.”

There are also lifestyle factors to consider. These may include the other people in your home, whether you own or rent and are allowed to have a dog under the terms of your agreements, the size of your space and your financial position. Dogs can be expensive.

“Consider what type of dog breed and size would suit you best. If you have health or mobility issues, a smaller dog may be easier to walk and care for,” says Donnelly. “Researching breeds is a good idea to work out which dogs might suit your lifestyle and energy levels. Would you prefer a bigger dog you can hug or a smaller dog that can sit on your lap on the couch?”