Introduction
Nothing feels better than a person receiving some good puppy love. There are tons of places where people can go to get this type of love. These dogs bring joy and comfort to many people who may be lonely, sick or simply having a bad day. Spending time with a trained therapy dog can do wonders for you psychologically.
Therapy dogs are specially trained to work with people in need, whether it’s emotionally or physically. Therapists may use them as well, but also patients recovering from an injury or trauma could benefit greatly from one of these warm creatures. It can be hard finding a canine companion that is suitable for working around people, but certain breeds are pre-trained to easily work with humans.
What Small Dogs Are Best for Emotional Support?
There are lots of breeds that can be trained to serve as therapy dogs. The top best small dogs for emotional support are:
Schnauzers
The most common type of Schnauzer is the standard one, which is a great breed for therapy work. They’re very easy to train, but they learn just as quickly on their own if you don’t want to go through the trouble of training them. Schnauzers are highly intelligent and very friendly, especially around children.
You’d think that these small dogs would be scared of larger people or animals, but they’re not. Their protective nature towards their owners usually overpowers that fear, though they will bark to alert you of anything coming your way.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Cavaliers are great dogs for therapy work because they’re so affectionate and friendly. They love being around other people and will often jump on your lap to cuddle with you. Many of them also love to play fetch, which can be a great way to exercise them and tire out their energy. These pups are very well mannered too; they won’t bark or run around unless prompted by their owners.
What Is the Best Dog for Anxiety and Depression?
Some dogs can be of great help to people who suffer from anxiety and depression. They’re very loyal and affectionate; they’ll make you feel better just by their presence alone. Listed below are some of them.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are a great pet for those who suffer from anxiety and depression. They’re very loving and affectionate, they don’t bark much unless something is wrong or if they want to go outside. You can easily take them on walks without worrying about them becoming over-excited too quickly.
Poodle.
Poodles are known for being highly affectionate, they’re one of the most loyal breeds that you can get. They love to play with other people and are very intelligent. You don’t have to worry about their intelligence causing them problems either; they also know when to stop so you don’t get overwhelmed by too much playtime.
German shepherd
The German Shepherd is a natural choice for therapy work, they were originally bred to become the working dogs of the military and police forces. They’re very obedient, easy to train, and affectionate. Unlike other breeds that were bred purely for their intelligence, German Shepherds will be happy with a job to do because it’s in their breed’s nature.
How Do I Choose an Emotional Support Dog?
There are some considerations to take into account when choosing a therapy dog for yourself.
#1: Understand the Difference Between Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs
The first thing you have to understand is that a therapy dog and a service dog are two completely different things. A service dogs must be able to perform specific tasks to help their owners who have disabilities. A therapy dog, on the other hand, provides emotional support to its owners.
#2: Personality Is Important
Not all dogs are cut out for therapy work, the main characteristics you should be looking for in a good therapy dog is that they’re affectionate and intelligent. You should also take into consideration their personality. Do they get nervous around other people? Are they friendly to strangers or do they get aggressive quickly? These are things you should know before deciding to take one home.
#3: How Is Your Dog Around Other People?
Your dog’s personality is important, but it’s also important to know how they’ll react around other people. You don’t want a dog that will be aggressive towards children or adults, that will make their presence much less welcome. You should consider at least taking your dog to playgroups or meet-ups with other people so you can get an idea of how they’ll react.
#4: Find a Dog that Enjoys Attention
Some dogs are very shy and uncomfortable around strangers. They don’t enjoy being in crowded areas and would rather stay home to keep the owner company. These dogs are not good choices for therapy work.
See also: What are the Most Popular Breeds of Spaniel?
And: Some Ugly Small Dog Breeds We Love
What Are Some of The Best Small Breeds for A Therapy Dog?
There are some breeds that are much more suited to therapy work than others. Small dogs in particular can do well because they’re less intimidating and docile for strangers. Below are some of the best breeds for therapy work.
Yorkshire Terrier.
The Yorkie is a small, intelligent and friendly breed. This means they’ll be more than happy to meet new people and be around strangers. They’re also very affectionate and loyal which means they’ll be great at providing comfort for those with anxiety or depression.
Pugs.
Pugs are one of the more intelligent small breeds, they’re easy to train and have a friendly temperament. They love being around people which means they’ll be more than happy to show up somewhere without causing too much of a scene.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel has a history of being one of the most popular breeds in England which means they’re used to interacting with lots of people. They’re small and very affectionate which means they’ll be perfect for therapy work.
Border Collie.
Border Collies are known for their intelligence and affectionate personalities. They’re happy to work hard which makes them perfect for therapy work because they’ll be more than happy to do their job. They also have a tendency to obey everything you say which makes training them a lot easier.
Conclusion.
Therapy dogs are usually small breeds that are very affectionate and easy to train. They need to be comfortable around strangers so they can help to comfort others. Some breeds are better suited to therapy work than others, but small dogs in general are excellent options for therapy work.
Featured image: Yorkshire Terrier
