Therapy dogs – silent healers of the human soul | ApA analysis
More than just a pet (ApA analysis)
Therapy dogs are not just any pets. Have you ever walked into your house after a hard and stressful day and felt the weight of the world melt away the moment your dog looked at you with those deep, loyal eyes? That's no coincidence. It's a biological and emotional bond that goes back thousands of years.
Within ApA-Channel we often explore nature and health, but rarely does a topic bring these two fields together as strongly as therapy dogs and other therapy animals do.
Animals aren't just our companions; they're often our best doctors without a degree. In this article, we explore how dogs—and especially intelligent breeds like German Shepherds—are becoming key factors in maintaining our mental and physical health.
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What exactly are therapy dogs? (ApA definition)
It is important to make a clear distinction between the three categories of animals that help us:
Service dogs: Trained for specific tasks (eg guide dogs for the blind).
Emotional Support Dogs (ESA): They provide comfort by their very presence.
Therapy dogs: Specially trained dogs that visit hospitals, schools, and nursing homes to improve people's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning.
ApA Note: Any dog can be a therapist for its owner, but a true "therapy dog" must pass a socialization test and have a stable character that does not react to noise, unfamiliar people, or stressful situations.
When you pet a dog, a small chemical revolution takes place in your body. Scientific studies have confirmed that interacting with animals causes:
Oxytocin increase: Known as the "love and connection hormone".
Reducing cortisol: The stress hormone that is the main cause of many modern diseases.
Stabilizing blood pressure: Just 10 minutes of petting a dog can significantly lower systolic blood pressure.
My black German Shepherd
My black German shepherd was with us 15 years. He knew when I or my wife were sad – no words, no calls. He didn't jump, he didn't seek attention. He would just come, sit next to us and snuggle quietly.
I brought him in. Germany – his country of origin. He walked this earth. It has its place here too. I buried him here.
In November 2024, I had to make the most difficult decision – to put him to sleep. Not out of weakness, but out of love. The dog that walked with you through life does not disappear - it remains a part of your silence
The German Shepherd as a therapy dog – experience from practice
Today I recognize the same thing in Nele, my German Shepherd. Mine Nella is a German shepherd, a breed synonymous with intelligence and loyalty. Although they are often seen as police or working dogs, German Shepherds make excellent therapy dogs due to their high level of empathy. They "read" human emotions with incredible accuracy. If you are sad, a German shepherd will feel it before any human.
Why is the German Shepherd the ideal therapist?
Focus: They are focused on their owner and react to subtle changes in breathing or tone of voice.
Protective instinct: They provide a sense of security to people suffering from anxiety or PTSD.
Work ethic: They like to have a task, and "taking care of man" is the highest mission for them.
Therapeutic impact on different groups of people
1. Children with developmental disabilities
Dogs help children with autism connect more easily with their environment. The dog becomes a "social bridge" - it is easier to communicate with the world through the dog than directly.
2. Elderly people and loneliness
In nursing homes, a visit from a therapy animal is often the only moment of true joy in the week. Dogs encourage movement and provide a sense of purpose.
3. Fight against depression and anxiety
The dog forces you to go outside. Walking, fresh air and the routine that a dog requires are the best natural anti-depressants.
We wrote in more detail about the role of pets in maintaining psychological balance in our ApA guide to the connection between pets and mental health, where we explain why the presence of an animal has a powerful therapeutic effect. https://apachannel.com/ljubimci-i-mentalno-zdravlje/
How to recognize if your pet has a "therapeutic wire"?
Not every dog is born to be a therapist. For a dog to be successful in this role, it must possess:
Low level of reactivity: He must not jump on people or bark at other dogs.
Desire for touch: He must enjoy being petted, even by complete strangers.
Patience: Ability to sit or lie still for long periods of time.
Practical advice: How can you become a "therapist" for your dog?
The relationship is two-way. For your dog to be your healer, he must be healthy and happy. Here we return to ours ApA-Forever philosophy:
Quality nutrition: A healthy dog is a calm dog.
Dietary supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (like those in our Arctic Sea) are not only good for humans, but also for your pet's cognitive health.
Mental stimulation: Teach your dog new tricks. This strengthens your bond and reduces stress for both parties.
APA Analysis: Animals as pillars of holistic health
From the perspective APA analyses, therapy animals are not a luxury, but a necessity in an alienated world. In the diaspora, where people are often isolated, busy and under pressure, a dog is often the only thread that keeps them connected to nature and their own emotions.
Analysis conclusion: Investing time in a dog is an investment in your own longevity. If you don't have the resources for a dog, volunteering at a shelter or walking a neighbor's pet can have an almost identical therapeutic effect.
For those who want to further understand how therapy dogs function in practice, a useful and detailed overview is provided by an expert article on the Zooplus magazine portal about therapy dogs. https://www.zooplus.hr/magazin/psi/odgoj-pasa/terapijski-psi
Call to action
Have you felt the therapeutic power of your pet? Share your story with me in the comments or write to me on the Facebook page APA channel. If you want to learn more about how natural supplements can improve the lives of you and your pets, Contact me for advice!
APA Reader's Guide:
Regular walks: Minimum 30 minutes a day for mental reset.
Conscious pampering: Turn off your phone when you are with your pet. Feel the texture of their fur and the rhythm of their breathing.
“"Have you ever found yourself in a difficult life situation where your pet was the only one who really understood you and comforted you without a single word?"”
2. Question about perception
“"We often see that deep, 'human' look in German Shepherds. Do you also notice in your dogs that moment when they know exactly that you need a hug or support?"‘
3. Opinion question
“What do you think, should we introduce regular visits by therapy dogs in our hospitals and schools in the Balkans, as is the practice in many diaspora countries?”
