How Therapy Dogs Support Mental Health and Healing ?
Humans and dogs have had a special bond for centuries. Coming home from a long day to a wagging tail is bound to cheer anyone up. But dogs have proven to be so much more than just pets.
Research shows significant benefits to spending time with a dog in a clinical setting, which is why Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) at the University of Utah brings certified therapy dogs into their facilities to help brighten patients’ days.
“When someone is struggling with a mental health disorder, often they feel judgment from friends, family, or society,” explains Emily Washburn, a recreational therapist at the Institute. “Having a dog that offers empathy and comfort can make a meaningful difference.”
How Dogs Help Your Health
Spending time with a therapy dog allows someone dealing with a health issue to have judgment-free interactions and experience unconditional support. Petting or playing with a dog releases oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone,” in both your brain and the dog’s brain. The release of oxytocin is associated with:
- Lower levels of cortisol, or the “stress hormone”
- A sense of social connection
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased feelings of relaxation
These feelings can help patients feel more grounded and reduce anxiety and depression.
At Huntsman Mental Health Institute’s Crisis Care Center, Emily Callahan regularly brings her therapy dog, Callie, to spend time with patients in crisis. Callie’s presence offers guests a calm and welcoming influence.
“The kids on the units who we see say Callie’s one of the best therapies they receive,” Callahan says. “They don’t think about anything else but Callie’s smile and how soft she is. Callie loves every one of them unconditionally and never judges them. She seems to know when they are sad and gives them a gentle kiss to help them feel better.”
A Unique Approach to Therapy
For non-verbal patients or those with severe anxiety or depression, pet therapy can be used as an avenue to help them open up. Spending time with a therapy dog doesn’t require a person to feel like they have to say or do the right thing. They can simply show up and receive comfort without worrying about being judged.
“Sometimes we can’t reach patients in talk therapy, but we’ll see them come into pet therapy and their face will just light up,” Washburn says. “We had a patient who didn’t come to many group therapies but came to pet therapy, and it was the most I had ever heard them speak.”
The benefits of therapy dog visits extend beyond mental health care. It’s not uncommon to see wagging tails in oncology units, acting as a distraction for patients receiving tough treatments, or in children’s hospitals to help kids facing scary medical procedures. No matter what a patient is going through, spending time with a dog can bring joy to otherwise difficult situations.
?Beyond the Clinic Doors
Therapy dogs are trained and certified for their roles, but just having a dog in your home has health benefits too. Besides reduced anxiety and lowered blood pressure, being a dog owner also promotes physical activity and reduces loneliness. You’re more likely to get outdoors and exercise with your dog, which also increases your chances of social interactions in the neighborhood or at the park. Your dog depends on you, which gives you a sense of purpose. All of these things contribute to maintaining a healthy mind and body.
Whether you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, recovering from an illness, or just enjoying unconditional companionship, dogs are quite literally good for our health. No wonder they’ve earned the title of “man’s best friend.”
Mental Health Crisis Resources
We are here for you when you need us the most. Our team of professionals are trained in:
- mental health crisis management,
- suicide prevention, and
- emotional wellness.
HMHI provides the following specialty programs and resources for you and your loved ones to prevent mental health crises and provide emotional support when needed.
Where to Go When You Need Mental Health Help Right Away
A mental health crisis does not always require a hospital bed, but it does require compassion and professional support. Learn how the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center offers immediate help—no appointment or referral needed.
Utah's New Mental Health Crisis Center Offers Immediate Support for Adults in Distress
You do not need to be suicidal or in psychosis to be in crisis. A mental health crisis can mean overwhelming anxiety, grief that would not lift, or a stretch of time when functioning feels impossible. Designed to be an alternative to ER visits or jail, the new Huntsman Mental Health Institute facility is open to any adult in need, no appointment required.
Emergency Mental Health Care Without Going to the ER: How Utah’s MCOT Comes to You
Crises do not wait for appointments—and neither does the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team. Learn how this no-cost, judgment-free service is helping Utahns avoid unnecessary ER visits and navigate moments of crisis with real-time, compassionate care.
