4 Popular Therapy Animals

By
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer, RVT, LVT
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.
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Updated on 07/18/22
Reviewed by
Bartley Harrison
Bartley Harrison
Reviewed by Bartley Harrison

Dr. Bartley Harrison is a veterinarian with more than 15 years of professional veterinary experience treating dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, and small mammals, with a specific focus on Emergency Medicine. Dr. Harrison is part of The Spruce Pets’ veterinary review board.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board
People petting dog in group therapy session
Caiaimage/Agnieszka Olek / Getty Images

Many people require different kinds of assistance in order to complete daily tasks in life. Some people cannot live independently without the services of people and specially trained pets. Others simply benefit from a visit with an animal that provides them with a sense of calm and relaxation. Therapy animals provide this special service to people.

Not to be confused with a service dog or an emotional support pet, therapy animals are socialized and trained to provide comfort and affection to people in various stressful environments. Therapy animals are most commonly seen in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and disaster areas, and are classified as one of three types: therapeutic visitation animals, animal-assisted therapy animals, and facility therapy animals.

The most common kind of therapy animal is a therapeutic visitation animal. These are often pets that go to various places, such as detention facilities, to visit with people who may miss their own pets, but return home with their owner at the end of the day. All kinds of animals are utilized as therapy animals but regardless of the species, they typically go through a veterinarian's assessment, have received basic training, and have been screened to ensure they do well with people. Therapy animals are not protected by any federal laws, but some states have their own laws to grant rights to the owners and their pets. Vests, collars, registration, and other services are available through the National Service Animal Registry.

  • 01 of 04

    Therapy Dogs

    Blonde goldendoodle with senior citizens

     Getty Images / Yellow Dog Productions

    Definitely the most commonly seen type of therapy animal, dogs come in all shapes and sizes and make ideal therapy animals. Many people have probably come across a therapy dog at one point or another in their lifetime. Therapy dogs are often seen in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, detention centers, and other public places where you may be surprised to see a dog walking around.

    Dogs are classic companions for humans so it is very natural for people to enjoy their presence. Studies have shown that dogs help calm and relax people, and therapy dogs are a testament to this. Larger breeds, such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers, are most often seen as therapy dogs, but that doesn't mean other breeds can't make a good therapy animal. As long as a dog is friendly towards people and knows basic obedience commands, it could probably become a therapy animal!

  • 02 of 04

    Therapy Horses

    Therapy horse being ridden by a boy with autism and cerebral palsy outside.
    Therapy horses may be used for all kinds of therapy, including therapy with autistic children.

     Getty Images / Tom Ervin / Stringer

    Horses, while much larger than dogs, make excellent therapy animals. You won't see a horse walking through a school (unless it's a miniature horse) but you will often seen equine-assisted therapy techniques utilizing therapy horses. Therapy horses are great animals to aid in mental health and are also used in equine-facilitated psychotherapy by addiction treatment centers, veterans groups, and other mental wellness facilities that are overseen by medical professionals.

    Grooming a horse is often touted as being very therapeutic and the human emotions a horse mimics have been shown to be very beneficial for people battling many different types of psychological issues. Horses also help teach people a variety of things, such as trust building and work ethic, in addition to dealing with emotions.

    Therapy horses may or may not be ridden.

  • 03 of 04

    Therapy Cats

    Cat giving five on a tablet to senior citizens.
    Therapy cats can make great therapy animals for visiting the elderly.

    Getty Images / Sean Gallup / Staff 

    A less obvious choice than dogs or horses, many cats can make great therapy animals. Just like dogs, cats are easy to bring into indoor facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals to aid in comforting anyone who may be missing their own pets. Many therapy cats learn to walk on a leash and can have a very calming presence for children in school, elderly in assisted living facilities, and other situations. They are also a great indoor therapy animal option for people who may have a fear of dogs.

  • 04 of 04

    Therapy Rabbits

    Pet Therapy – Senior woman with rabbit at home
    FredFroese / Getty Images

    Sometimes a small, quiet therapy animal is needed, and when this is the case, a rabbit makes a wonderful therapy animal. Rabbits are easy to transport, do not bark or meow, and are excellent options for people who may be frightened of both dogs and cats, since a fear of rabbits is not very common.

    A therapy rabbit needs to be calm, well-socialized, and enjoy being handled and petted by people. It is ideal if a therapy rabbit is also litter box trained. Not all rabbits fit this bill, but if a friendly rabbit is comfortable in a harness and four-foot leash, they might make a great therapy animal.

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