Emotional Support Through Assistance Dogs Or Therapy Dogs For Australia Residents

Therapy animals are becoming an increasingly common part of emotional care. They are now used on college campuses, in healthcare facilities, and in other community settings to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, trauma, and more. Including in Australia, therapy dogs and assistance dogs can offer a sense of comfort, structure, and connection for a wide range of individuals. Here, we’ll explore the role of professional therapy dog services, how they differ from assistance or service dogs, their potential mental health benefits, and how you can receive other kinds of mental health support besides therapy dogs or assistance dogs in Australia.

What are therapy dogs?

Therapy dogs are usually specially trained to exhibit a calm, patient, and friendly temperament. These characteristics equip them to provide emotional support to individuals. Unlike assistance dogs, they do not perform specific tasks, but instead offer comfort through their presence and interaction. Research suggests that playing with a dog may help increase both relaxation and concentration. 

Key characteristics of therapy dogs in Australia

To be a comforting presencein sensitive environments, reliable partners in animal-assisted therapy, and effective support animals, therapy dogs tend to share certain characteristics. Some of these traits may be associated with a certain breed. For example, golden retrievers are a common breed of therapy dog because of their naturally friendly, outgoing personalities and ease of bonding with individuals of all ages, including children.

Other therapy dog characteristics may be taught in therapy dog training. Examples of these traits include:

• A calm disposition and the ability to stay relaxed, even in loud or unpredictable environments
• Adaptability to new people, places, and therapy settings
• Being highly sociable and friendly, since happy interactions tend to be more therapeutic and enjoyable for the patient
• Responsiveness to commands from handlers and caretakers

Therapy dogs in specialized care settings

Therapy dogs may create a positive impact in a variety of settings. They commonly work with trained handlers to provide support to many different people in contexts, like palliative care facilities, hospitals, schools, universities, and aged care homes. In such situations, trained therapy dogs can support students, patients, and families in difficult or stressful moments, promote meaningful social interactions, and help foster emotional resilience.

The difference between a therapy dog and an assistance dog

While they are different, both therapy and assistance dogs can play a role in supporting Individuals in various settings in everyday life. Understanding the difference can help you explore the right support option for your unique needs.

A therapy dog for emotional comfort vs. an assistance dog for specific tasks

For general emotional support, a therapy dog can act as a gentle, friendly, comforting, and affectionate companion, typically working as part of a handler team in structured environments. Especially during stressful or difficult times, therapy dogs can provide people with a sense of comfort and emotional support. Assistance dogs (also called service dogs), on the other hand, are task-trained for one specific person. For example, they might guide a visually impaired person or open doors for a perrson with mobility challenges. 

The difference between a therapy dog and a companion dog

In Australia, companion dogs are those that began training as assistance dogs but were found to be better suited for life as a pet. According to the Assistance Dogs Australia website, companion dogs “still have plenty of love to give and can still assist in providing structure and routine for their owners.” These types of dogs end up playing the same role as a pet dog, even though they have received some advanced training, as they never became fully certified as assistance dogs.

In contrast, therapy dogs have typically completed specific, comprehensive training that allows them to provide comfort to individuals in settings like hospitals or schools. Both companion dogs and therapy dogs are different from assistance dogs, which are highly trained to help owners with disabilities accomplish specific tasks.

The training of assistance dogs in Australia

Assistance dogs can be an important part of a support system for people with certain disabilities, potentially enhancing their sense of independence, safety, and quality of life. To play their role effectively, assistance dogs undergo intensive training, designed to help them perform specific tasks, behave appropriately in public, and respond reliably to their handler’s needs.

How dogs are trained to meet assistance dog standards in Australia

There are various organizations that train assistance dogs across Australia. Each program begins with puppy training, focusing on socialization, obedience, and exposure to different environments. As the dog advances (as long as they demonstrate patience, friendliness, and consistency), they can be trained to carry out specialized tasks for disability support. For example, guide dogs may learn to navigate physical obstacles, while seizure alert dogs may be trained to recognize the signs of an oncoming seizure and alert their handler.

Ways a therapy dog can play a role in mental health treatment

Some mental health professionals use therapy dogs to assist in mental health treatment, a practice known as animal-assisted therapy. While therapy dog programs are generally not intended to replace traditional therapeutic approaches, they may complement and enhance overall healthcare by providing emotional support, improving client engagement, and helping clients feel comfortable. 

Assistance dogs offer independence while therapy dogs offer comfort

Again, assistance dogs are often used to support people with disabilities, mobility issues, and other health conditions. For example, for someone with mobility challenges, assistance dogs can help with tasks like opening doors, retrieving items, and providing physical stability. Meanwhile, therapy dogs offer comfort and emotional support for people experiencing mental health challenges—from stress at school to depressive symptoms in everyday life. A study conducted on college campuses suggests that therapy dogs can help reduce stress and improve mood among college students, making them useful even outside of a traditional therapy session.

Other animal-assisted activities and interventions for mental health

Therapy and assistance dogs are not the only animals that can be involved in mental health care and support. There are several other types of animal-assisted interventions that can be helpful. For example, equine-assisted therapy is when a person is guided by a professional in interacting with a trained horse as one component of their treatment for anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or another condition. 

Other types of animal-assisted activities for mental health may involve interacting with a cat, guinea pig, rabbit, or other animal under the supervision of a trained mental health professional. Such activities may create structured opportunities for comfort, connection, reflection, recovery, and therapeutic growth.

The potential mental health benefits of therapy dogs 

Research continues to explore how therapy dogs may be able to help foster mental and emotional well-being. Existing studies suggest that time spent with therapy dogs may improve mood and self-esteem. They can also bring joy, encourage healthy social interactions, and have a positive impact on an individual’s mental health and overall wellbeing.

Therapy dog support for anxiety, PTSD, depression, and more

As well as enhancing general well-being, spending time with a well-behaved therapy dog may be especially beneficial for individuals experiencing mental health conditions. For example, interacting with a therapy dog may help alleviate symptoms of conditions like anxiety and depression, particularly when used in combination with other forms of evidence-based mental health support.

The use of therapy dogs in Australia

If you’re experiencing exam anxiety as a college student, depression during cold winter months, or ongoing emotional stress at work, for example, a trained therapy dog could be one way to receive consistent support, typically in conjunction with mental health care from a professional. In some cases—as an alternative to working with animal-assisted therapists—individuals may be able to seek out training for their own dog to provide emotional support and comfort.

Steps to finding a certified therapy dog or program for your dog

If you’re interested in getting your pet trained to be a certified therapy dog in Australia, consider these courses of action:

• Reach out to national organizations such as Delta Dogs or Therapy Animals Australia for information on certification and program options
• Assess your dog’s temperament in different environments—such as local dog parks, public spaces, or around new people and animals—to see if they might be suited to being a therapy dog
• Ensure your dog is responsive to basic commands before beginning formal therapy dog training
• Visit therapy dogs at local health organizations, universities, or volunteer groups and speak with their handlers to learn more about the process and experience

Alternative forms of therapy for mental health

Animal-assisted therapy can be a valuable form of care, potentially helping alleviate stress and support emotional well-being. However, a therapy dog on its own may not be enough mental health support for a person, especially if they're experiencing signs of a diagnosable condition or any other symptoms that interfere with daily life. In such cases, meeting with a qualified mental health care provider like a therapist can be recommended. 

That said, it's not convenient or feasible for everyone to attend regular in-person therapy sessions. For those who face barriers to in-person care, exploring the option of online therapy may be a viable alternative.

Online platforms like BetterHelp can help individuals in Australia get matched with a therapist who aligns with their unique preferences, needs, and goals. The flexible process also allows people to switch providers for no additional cost until they find the right fit. Sessions are often flexible and convenient, since people can attend them remotely—via phone call, video call, or live chat—from the comfort of their home and at times that work around their daily routine.

The effectiveness of online therapy

While animal-assisted therapy requires in-person involvement, telehealth therapy sessions can provide convenient virtual support. A growing body of research indicates the effectiveness of virtual mental health care in many cases. Specifically, various studies suggest that online therapy can often be as effective as in-person care for treating a variety of symptoms and conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorder, and others.