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Which breeds make the best therapy dogs?

Author

Carter Sullivan

Updated on March 14, 2026

Which breeds make the best therapy dogs?

15 Best Dog Breeds For Therapy Dogs
  • Labrador Retriever. Labrador Retrievers pretty much top the list of dogs suitable for all types of work, including acting as service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs.
  • Golden Retriever.
  • Poodle.
  • Pomeranian.
  • French Bulldog.
  • Greyhound.
  • Pug.
  • Dachshund.

Furthermore, what breeds make the best emotional support dogs?

Top 10 ESA Dog Breeds

  • Labrador Retriever. Labradors are known to be some of the gentlest breeds around, so they make perfect ESAs.
  • Yorkshire Terrier. Yorkies are the sweetest of the sweet lap dogs.
  • Beagle.
  • Corgi.
  • Pug.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Pomeranian.
  • Golden Retriever.

One may also ask, can any breed of dog be a therapy dog? Any mix or breed can be trained to provide comfort and affection to people in hospitals, retirement homes, schools, mental health institutions, airports, and many other settings. Dogs must be at least one year old to become a therapy dog. Step 2: A tester/observer in your area test you and your dog.

In this manner, which dogs are good therapy dogs?

10 dog breeds that make the best therapy dogs

  • Lurchers. hannah4469Getty Images.
  • Bichon Frise. Rastko Belic / EyeEmGetty Images.
  • Yorkshire Terrier. MaximFesenkoGetty Images.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Hana Zargi / EyeEmGetty Images.
  • Labradoodle.
  • Miniature Dachshund.
  • English Springer Spaniel.
  • Labrador Retriever.

What breed of dog is the most laid back?

These Are the Most Easygoing Dog Breeds You Can Own

  1. Bernese mountain dog. They're gentle and calm.
  2. Bulldog. They love their owners.
  3. Bullmastiff. This big dog is happy in a house or even an apartment.
  4. Chihuahua. Some might be high-energy dogs, but they're also happy just to curl up with their owners.
  5. Chinese crested dog.
  6. Clumber spaniel.
  7. French bulldog.
  8. Glen of Imaal terrier.

What is the best pet for anxiety?

Mentally. Petting dogs and cats helps us feel happier and less stressed: it's scientifically proven by numerous studies. Here's how it works: when you pet an animal (one that you like) for 15 minutes, your brain releases a feel-good cocktail of happy hormones into your brain: prolactin, oxytocin, and serotonin.

What is the best therapy dog for depression?

Best Emotional Support Dog Breeds
  • The Best Emotional Support Dog Breeds. It's been proven by science — dogs are good for your mental health.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Pug.
  • Standard Poodle.
  • Labrador Retriever.
  • Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Border Collie.
  • Corgi.

Can I get a service dog for anxiety?

Service dogs are companion animals that help people who have physical or mental health conditions. A service dog for anxiety can provide a sense of calm, anticipate anxiety attacks, and even fetch medication for their owner.

Is dog good for depression?

Dogs can contribute to your happiness. Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve your all-around health.

What do emotional support dogs do?

ESAs provide support through companionship and can help ease anxiety, depression, and certain phobias. However, they are not service dogs, and ESA users do not receive the same accommodations as service dog users. A service dog, such as a guide dog, is generally allowed anywhere the public is allowed; ESAs are not.

What therapy dogs do?

Therapy dogs provide relief to those in anxiety-provoking situations, bring comfort to those who are grieving or lonely, and offer affection to humans who are in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.

What helps dogs with anxiety?

7 Proven Ways to Calm Your Anxious Dog
  • Exercise Your Dog. If your dog has separation anxiety, the obvious way to ease their mind is to never leave them alone.
  • Physical Contact. There is probably nothing more soothing to an anxious dog than its owner's touch.
  • Massage.
  • Music Therapy.
  • Time-Out.
  • Calming Coats/T-Shirts.
  • Alternative Therapies.

How do I train my emotional support dog for anxiety?

When your dog pays attention to what is happening, reward him with a treat. Teach your dog an alert such as a nudge and put it on a verbal command. Present the anxiety symptom and the verbal command for the alert. When the dog practices the alert while you are practicing the symptoms, reward your dog.

How do I get my dog certified as an emotional support dog?

The only legitimate way to qualify your dog as an Emotional Support Animal is by obtaining a recommendation letter from a licensed mental health professional. If you do not have a therapist or are having trouble finding one, you can connect with a mental health professional through an online platform.

How do I train my dog to be a therapy dog?

To earn an AKC Therapy Dog™ title, you and your dog must meet the following criteria:
  1. Certified/registered by an AKC recognized therapy dog organization.
  2. Perform the required number of visits for the title for which you are applying.
  3. AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD).
  4. AKC Therapy Dog Excellent (THDX).

Can you buy a trained therapy dog?

How Do You Get a Therapy Dog? Most people are more than happy to certify a pet they already own as a therapy animal. Others will purchase an animal from a reputable breeder or trainer and use that animal for emotional support.

How much do therapy dogs cost?

A service dog typically costs between $15,000 and $30,000 to adopt and train, according to the nonprofit Service Dog Certifications. But it depends on the training it receives and the breed of dog you've selected. In some cases a service dog can be as expensive as $50,000.

Can a pitbull be a therapy dog?

There can be no doubt that pit bull terriers can be good therapy dogs. The bottom line is that pit bull terrier-type dogs are just dogs. They are intelligent and do the same jobs that other dogs do. They go through basic obedience training, they earn Canine Good Citizen certificates, and yes, they become therapy dogs.

What dogs are good for autism?

Most support and therapy dogs are larger breeds; some of the most popular dogs for children with autism include golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, standard poodles, Staffordshire bull terriers, and German shepherds.

What should I look for in a therapy dog?

A good therapy dog is a mixture of several important factors, but it mainly boils down to personality and training when it comes to these empathetic canines. The most important qualities of a therapy dog are a calm demeanor, patience, confidence and a love of human contact. There's much more to it than that, though.

Do Therapy Dogs get paid?

As of Jan 16, 2021, the average annual pay for a Therapy Dog in the United States is $44,994 a year. A Therapy Dog in your area makes on average $46,060 per year, or $1,066 (2%) more than the national average annual salary of $44,994.

How long does it take to train a dog to be a therapy dog?

Before your dog is considered for future training as a service dog, it has to undergo extensive modification training and pass a careful assessment, which would take you at least one year.

What is the difference between a service dog and a therapy dog?

A service dog is trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. A therapy dog is trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas. Therapy dogs are not service animals and are not afforded the same privileges.

Can a therapy dog go anywhere?

They are not Service Animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), It is important to note that a Therapy Dog has no rights to enter an animal restricted area (grocery store, public transportation, etc), and are only allowed where they are invited to visit.

How do therapy dogs get into schools?

Therapy dogs in schools can perform wonders: The animals relieve students' stress, help kids learn to read, and even boost test scores and attendance. To reach these goals, educators must focus as much on the animals' needs as they do on the comfort of students, says Jennifer VonLintel, a counselor.

Can therapy dogs fly?

Flying with a service animal

Fully-trained service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge if they meet the requirements.

What dog is the calmest?

The top 10 calmest dog breeds
  1. Shih Tzu. Known for their long, somewhat shaggy hair, Shih Tzus are a small dog breed who adapt particularly well to different lifestyles, including apartment living.
  2. Labrador Retriever.
  3. Pug.
  4. Newfoundland.
  5. Great Dane.
  6. Golden Retriever.
  7. English Bulldog.
  8. Cavalier King Charles and Kings Charles Spaniel.

Should puppies sleep in the dark?

Dogs are happy with the light off or on when they sleep. Even so, to keep your dog's sleep cycles regulated, it's a good idea to turn off the lights. Even this low amount of light can help ease a dog's fear of the dark. And most dogs do sleep better in the dark—their sleep cycles are adapted to ours.

What is the most low maintenance dog?

17 Super-Low Maintenance Dog Breeds
  • Miniature Pinscher.
  • Italian Greyhound.
  • Boston Terrier.
  • French Bulldog.
  • Chihuahua.
  • Dachshund.
  • Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Weimaraner.

What is the easiest breed of dog to own?

Here are 17 typically calm dog breeds that might make a perfect match if you're looking for an easy-going canine companion.
  • Bichon Frise. via
  • Bulldog. via
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. via
  • Collie.
  • English Toy Spaniel.
  • French Bulldog.
  • Golden Retriever.
  • Great Dane.

What are the most well behaved dogs?

Here is the list of 10 best-behaved dog breeds:
  • #1 Golden Retrievers – One of the most well behaved dogs.
  • #2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – The social breed.
  • #3 Bernese Mountain Dog – The mammoths and best behaved dog breeds.
  • #4 Newfoundland – The cool and calm.
  • #5 Standard Poodle – One of the best-behaved dog breeds.

What dogs can be left alone for 9 hours?

Dog breeds that can be left alone for longer periods include breeds like:
  • Basset Hound.
  • French Bulldog.
  • Chihuahua.
  • Shar Pei.
  • Pugs.
  • Bull terrier.
  • Chow Chow.
  • Akita Inu.

What dogs can be left alone?

7 Dog Breeds That Can Be Left Alone
  • Basset Hound.
  • Chihuahua.
  • French Bulldog.
  • Greyhound.
  • Maltese.
  • Shar Pei.
  • Whippet.

What breed of dog is calm and quiet?

1. Bulldog. A long nap on the couch sounds much more appealing to a bulldog than barking at every passing squirrel. This breed stays calm and composed most of the time, making him one of the quietest breeds you can choose.

What is a mellow dog breed?

Bulldog

Despite their appearance, the Bulldog is happy, docile and perhaps one of the most mellow dog breeds.

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