What Is National Therapy Dog Day
National Therapy Dog Day is an observance that highlights the role of trained therapy dogs in providing comfort, emotional support, and companionship to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and disaster areas. It focuses on the work of certified therapy animals and the organizations that coordinate their visits.
When Is National Therapy Dog Day Celebrated
The date is typically observed in August, though the exact day can vary by country and organization. The observance is used to recognize therapy dog teams, honor volunteers, and promote awareness of animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy programs.
How Therapy Dogs Help Communities
Therapy dogs are trained to remain calm, friendly, and responsive in public settings. During supervised visits, they can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and encourage social interaction among patients, students, and older adults. Many programs follow guidelines from organizations that set standards for animal-assisted interventions, and information about these standards can be found at https://www.apa.org/topics/pets/animals-and-health
