Psychological, Emotional, and Social Health Benefits:

• Mood is elevated from the release of “feel good” hormones when interacting with a therapy dog 

• Decreases isolation, alienation, and depression

• Causes many to feel calm and reduce stress

• Bridges communication gaps

• Provides comfort

• Reduces boredom

• Lowers anxiety and decreases agitation

• Creates motivation for the client to recover faster

• Reduces loneliness

• Diminishes emotional pain in seniors

Physiological Health Benefits:

• The act of petting produces an automatic relaxation response

•  Stabilizes and lowers blood pressure

•  Reduces the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, & stroke

•  Improves cardiovascular health through increased exercise with pet

•  Breathing slows in those who are anxious

•  Releases many hormones such as Phenylethylamine which

has the same effect as chocolate

•  Diminishes overall physical pain

Anyone Can Benefit:

•  Increases socialization /encourages communication

•  Helps person focus

•  Can bring person back to the present

•  Can improve sleep

•  Maintain & increase motor skills

•  Increase movement in joints & recover faster

•  Provides motivation to move more, stretch farther, and exercise longer

  For more information, please visit: PAWSforpeople.org