Healing Paws: Therapy dogs find growing role in emotional well-being

When a 25-year-old woman lost her newborn, her grief seemed insurmountable. On her psychiatrist’s advice, she adopted a Beagle puppy. Months later, the little dog hadn’t erased the pain, but it had brought warmth, structure, and unconditional love — helping her navigate one of life’s hardest trials.

The concept of dog-assisted therapy is slowly but surely gaining ground in India. In a recent move, Hyderabad airport introduced therapy dogs to help passengers combat travel stress. Experts say such initiatives show how pets can offer emotional support not only in homes but also in demanding spaces like hospitals, schools, and offices.

“Bereavement, anxiety, PTSD, workplace stress — all can benefit from the companionship of a dog,” said psychiatrist Aniruddha Deb. “We’ve seen significant improvement in children with autism and in elderly people who are homebound. Dogs offer unfiltered affection and a calming presence.”

But not every dog is born for therapy work. Canine behaviourist Paromita Das notes that the key is temperament. “The dog must genuinely enjoy being touched, not just by family but by strangers. We begin assessing puppies at five months, and often just one in a litter shows the right calmness and sociability,” she explained. Golden Retrievers and Labradors dominate the field, but friendly Indies are proving equally capable.

Therapy dogs are used in corporate settings to ease workplace stress and in classrooms to help children regulate emotions and build social bonds. Their comfort is prioritised, with breaks given to avoid fatigue.

Even untrained pets can bring emotional relief. “A pet doesn’t need certification to make a difference,” said Dr. Deb. Corporate professional Rumela Basu credits her adopted street dog, Mowgli, with easing her move to a new city. “He gave structure to my day and made the unfamiliar feel familiar,” she said.

Retiree Jaideep Chatterji says his Labrador, Leo, helped him overcome post-retirement depression. “I found purpose again,” he said.

However, both experts warn against impulsive adoption. “Many families got pets during the pandemic without preparation. Responsible pet parenting is a commitment,” Das stressed.

In the right setting, therapy dogs — and even beloved family pets — can offer something priceless: comfort without judgement.