The 5 Best Dog Breeds for Therapy

In the world of therapy dogs, finding the right breed can make all the difference. From their calming presence to their ability to understand and respond to human emotions, therapy dogs play a crucial role in providing support and comfort to individuals with mental health issues. When it comes to choosing the best therapy dog breed, there are several factors to consider. Small dogs like Beagles are known for their loving nature and calm demeanor, making them ideal companions for individuals in retirement homes or those dealing with anxiety. On the other hand, larger breeds like Golden Retrievers and Labradors are often used as service dogs due to their intelligence, trainability, and ability to learn new tasks quickly.

Regardless of size, the most popular therapy dog breeds share common traits such as a calm temperament and a sensitive nature that enables them to provide emotional support in disaster areas or during therapy sessions.

So, whether you’re looking for an emotional support dog or a service dog for a specific type of therapy, it’s important to choose a breed that aligns with your needs and the dog’s personality. While these breeds share common traits, each brings a little something different to the table. These are widely considered 5 of the best dog breeds for therapy:

1. Labrador Retriever

5 Traits that Make Labs Excellent Therapy Dogs

1. Affectionate nature: Labradors have a loving and friendly disposition, making them highly approachable and comforting to those in need of emotional support.
2. Intelligence: Their high level of intelligence allows Labradors to quickly learn and perform a wide range of tasks, making them ideal for assisting individuals with disabilities.
3. Gentle temperament: Known for their gentle and patient temperament, Labradors are well-suited for working with children or individuals who may require a more delicate touch.
4. Eager to please: Labradors are eager to please their owners, which translates into a strong work ethic and dedication when it comes to fulfilling their roles as therapy or service dogs.
5. Adaptability: Labradors are versatile and adaptable, able to excel in various environments and situations, making them reliable companions for those in need of assistance.ds, makes them valuable assets in various therapeutic settings. The calm and compassionate demeanor of Labrador retrievers is a source of comfort and support for those in need.

2. Golden Retriever

5 Characteristics that Make Golden Retrievers Great Therapy Dogs

1. Friendly and Gentle Nature: Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly and gentle temperament, making them approachable and comforting to those in need of emotional support.
2. Patient and Calm Demeanor: These dogs have a patient and calm demeanor, which is essential for interacting with individuals who may be anxious or distressed.
3. High Intelligence: Golden Retrievers are intelligent and easily trainable, allowing them to learn specific therapy tasks and respond to commands effectively.
4. Affectionate and Empathetic: They have a strong capacity for empathy and are naturally affectionate, providing comfort and companionship to those they interact with.
5. Versatile Adaptability: Golden Retrievers are adaptable to various environments and situations, making them versatile therapy dogs capable of providing support in diverse settings.

3. Poodle

5 Reasons Poodles make Great Therapy Dogs

1. Intelligence: Poodles are highly intelligent dogs, making them quick learners and easily trainable for specific tasks required in therapy and service work.
2. Hypoallergenic coat: Their hypoallergenic coat makes them suitable for individuals with allergies, allowing more people to benefit from their therapeutic presence.
3. Gentle demeanor: Poodles typically have a gentle and friendly temperament, which is crucial when interacting with individuals in need of emotional support or assistance.
4. Versatility: Poodles come in different sizes – standard, miniature, and toy – providing options for different therapy settings and living situations.
5. High level of energy: Poodles have a good amount of energy, enabling them to be active companions for those who require physical assistance or motivation.

4. Beagle

5 Reasons Beagles make Great Therapy Dogs

1. Calm demeanor: Beagles have a gentle and calm temperament, which makes them well-suited for providing emotional support to individuals in need.
2. Sociable nature: Beagles are friendly and sociable animals, making them excellent companions for those requiring therapy or assistance.
3. Keen sense of smell: Beagles have a strong sense of smell, which can be beneficial for tasks such as detecting seizures or finding lost items.
4. Easy to train: Beagles are intelligent and eager to please, making them quick learners when it comes to service dog training.
5. Size and agility: Beagles are a medium-sized breed with good agility, allowing them to assist with tasks such as retrieving items or providing physical support.

5. Bernese Mountain Dog

5 Reasons BMD’s make Great Therapy Dogs

1. Gentle and Calm Demeanor: Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their gentle and calm nature, making them well-suited for providing comfort and emotional support to those in need.
2. Strong Bonding Abilities: These dogs form strong bonds with their owners and are highly attuned to human emotions, allowing them to provide intuitive support as therapy dogs.
3. Size and Strength: Their large size and strength make Bernese Mountain Dogs ideal for tasks that require physical assistance, such as mobility support or guiding individuals with disabilities.
4. Intelligent and Trainable: Bernese Mountain Dogs are intelligent and eager to please, making them quick learners when it comes to obedience training and mastering specific tasks needed for service work.
5. Affectionate Nature: Known for their loving and affectionate personalities, Bernese Mountain Dogs excel at providing companionship and comfort to those in hospitals, nursing homes, or other therapy settings.

Are there any other breeds not listed that are used for therapy work?

There are several other breeds used for therapy work. Larger breeds like the Newfoundland and Greyhound, medium breeds like the Corgi and Border Collie and small breeds like Bichon Frise and Pugs are used for this type of work. Therapy dogs are not limited by breed-but certain breeds are more adaptable because they possess the proper temperament.

How do you train a dog for therapy work?

Training a dog for therapy work involves socialization, basic obedience training, and specialized skills for therapy tasks. It’s important to work with a professional trainer who can guide you through the process and ensure your dog is well-prepared for the emotional and physical demands of therapy work.

Best Dog Breeds for Therapy – Final Thoughts

When it comes to finding the perfect therapy dog, there are several breeds that stand out. The Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Beagle, and Bernese Mountain Dog are all popular choices for therapy work. With proper training and socialization, these breeds can excel in therapy dog work and be a calming influence for people of all ages in various locations. Each breed brings its own unique qualities to the table – from the intelligence and versatility of the Poodle to the gentle and loving nature of the Golden Retriever. It’s important to consider a dog’s personality and specific tasks required for therapy work when choosing the right breed. Whether you prefer a larger breed or a small dog breed, these breeds have proven to be good therapy dogs with their sensitivity, affectionate nature, and ability to provide a lot of love. They can be the perfect companions for individuals in need and bring joy to the lives of many, especially young children and the elderly.

Therapy Dog Associations

• Alliance of Therapy Dogs 
• Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs
• Love on a Leash
• Pet Partners
• Therapy Dogs International