Why we love service dogs for therapy: Emotional support dogs vs. service dogs

We absolutely love service dogs for therapy and mental health, and if you haven’t already heard, we have a new furry friend in our office! We are working with Aine (Ahn – Ya), a golden retriever who will become both a service dog and a therapy dog. When Aine is fully trained, she will be able to support our clients both in and out of the office by helping them become more comfortable in therapy and reach their individual goals. 

Emotional support dogs vs. service dogs: What’s the difference?

If you’ve worked with service dogs before, you understand our excitement about this addition to our team. If you haven’t, maybe you’ve heard the terms emotional support dog or service dog mentioned in passing and you wondered what they do and what the difference is. 

Emotional support animals are animals who are not trained to perform specific acts directly related to an individual’s disability. Instead, an emotional support animal provides a sense of well-being, safety or calmness for their owner. A service animal receives a high level of training to work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, or to provide specific support within an organization such as Dochas. For more about service animal certifications and training in Canada, check out this article. 

The benefit of service dogs in therapy offices

So why did we decide to bring in a service dog to our office? Because there are so many benefits for our clients. And who are we kidding, for our team, too!

To list a few:

1. Their personalities are loveable. They’re friendly, non-judgemental, patient and relaxed. They love to be part of what’s going on around them. 
2. The presence of a service dog can provide a greater sense of ease and reduce overall stress levels in the therapeutic process. 
3. They provide a significant boost in confidence within social settings. Those who suffer from social anxiety can feel more relaxed and have an easy topic of conversation. 
4. They’re observant of physical and social cues. This is helpful for both the psychologist and the client. 
5. They’re trustworthy. Plus, they can keep conversations completely confidential!

The therapeutic process can be confusing and uncomfortable, and if the presence of a service dog can break the barriers to therapy and lessen someone’s anxiety, we’re all for it. 

If you’ve been wanting to talk to someone but you’re nervous about the idea of attending therapy, we suggest looking for an office with an emotional support or service dog. And if you’re in the Edmonton or Spruce Grove area, Dochas could be the perfect fit for you. Click here to reach out to us and we’d love to help you. 

P.S. Aine looks forward to meeting you on your next visit to Dochas! (She told us) 

About Dochas Psychological

Dochas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dochas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.

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