Kerkvliet 1 

Garret Kerkvliet 

Mr. Rudebusch 

English Composition IV 

15 January 2020 

Furry Friends 

The medicine field is constantly changing and new findings are always being made. Most 

recently, pet therapy has been one of them. Opposers believe that pet therapy is a distraction and an 

ineffective way of progressing its patients. They believe that service animals, such as dogs, can be used 

as an excuse to have one with them wherever they go. However, by using service dogs, people have a 

greater opportunity of progressing in their physical therapy and social interaction. 

Service dogs provide more physical therapy exercise opportunities for patients. More 

specifically, Carolyn Tassini, PT and DPT in ​PT in Motion ​states, “[Patients] with 1-sided neglects. . . 

might be asked to pet [a dog] using the affected extremity, or to throw [it] a ball in a close-up game of 

fetch” (Hayhurst 30). This is just one example of an advantage that patients may use service dogs for in 

their physical exercises; Tassini also reports, “On any given day, [a service dog] might be found 

playing ball or Frisbee with a patient in the facility gym, helping patients pick up dropped items from 

the floor, or opening a cabinet or refrigerator door” (Hayhurst 33). This evidence suggests that there is 

an abundance of exercises that patients with service dogs are allowed to do compared to patients who 

don’t use service dogs. These everyday tasks of playing ball, petting a dog, or playing frisbee are much 

more accessible in physical therapy exercises when service dogs are available. By using these exercises, 
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physical therapy becomes much more bearable for patients because they are using their injury to 

perform fun, playful tasks.  

Service dogs encourage social behavior. Carolyn Tassini, PT and DPT elaborates on physical 

therapy with a patient, “and we were about 25 feet into it, at his typical turnaround, so I asked him if 

he was ready to go back.” The man told her no, Tassini says, and continued down the hall, greeting 

everyone he saw. “He was like, ‘Look! This is Seamus, this is my dog!’ He kept going and going—a full 

loop around the unit. We walked over to the elevator and took it down to the cafeteria. He introduced 

Seamus to everyone in there, as well” (Hayhurst 32). The Role and Impact of Animals with Pediatric 

Patients in ​Pediatric Nursing​ reports, “Studies conclude that individuals report improvement in social 

interactions with dogs. In individuals with disabilities, service dogs not only help their owner, but also 

normalize interactions with other people” (Guest, Collis, & McNicholas, 2006; Wells, 2009) (Goddard 

and Gilmer 69-70). These pieces of evidence provide just a few reasons how service dogs can promote 

social interaction for the person who has the dog. By owning a dog, or simply by having a dog around 

with you, people are able to feel more confident in starting conversation with those around them.  

Likewise, service dogs attract conversation and interaction from nearby people. According to 

the International Federation of Ageing (IFA), “As anyone who has walked a dog in a park will know, a 

pet can be a social catalyst providing the opportunity for social interactions and acting as a social 

support for the pet owner” (qtd in Allison 333). Therapy Dogs United reports, “Therapy dogs can be 

key to opening dialogue and facilitating conversations. Since a dog is very social by nature, a certified 

Skilled Support dog is often used to help improve social and emotional development by opening the 

lines of communication” (Therapy Dogs United). These pieces of evidence suggest how service dogs 
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help those nearby to come and interact with those who are in need of the service dog. Oftentimes, 

people are enticed by the charm of dogs, therefore, by using one, those in need of them are supported 

by countless interactions from strangers who are lured in by the dog. 

Service dogs provide emotional stability. One example of this is the feel for self-worth. Tassini 

states that “she and her colleagues have been conducting a study to determine how Seamus’ presence 

during treatment affects patients’ activity levels. ‘We’ve found that the difference often is drastic,’ she 

represents—usually because the task suddenly becomes enjoyable. ‘There’s another level of motivation, 

and of effort and engagement, that we almost never see when we work with a patient on our own’” 

(Hayhurst 31). Additionally, service dogs can help psychiatric patients improve their worth. “A 

randomized control trial conducted in a large psychiatric institution with participants diagnosed with 

schizophrenia showed significant improvements (p = 0.005) in self esteem, self-determination, positive 

psychiatric symptoms, and emotional symptoms after an 8-week animal assisted activity intervention” 

(Goddard and Gilmer 69). Whether it be those involved in psychiatric institutions or those simply with 

a low self-esteem. The company of service dogs has a keen ability to raise confidence, motivation, 

self-esteem, engagement, etc. 

Just as service dogs can improve your self-worth, they can also be relied on for steady 

companionship. IFA reports, “Animal–human relationships are less complicated than human–human 

relationships and may be a source of much affection and unconditional love, which nurtures 

self-esteem and self-worth and can be particularly important among those older people who feel 

vulnerable or a nuisance to those they depend upon for support” (qtd in Allison 333). This evidence 

provides just one example of how service dogs may diminish loneliness; Additionally, “A pet can also 
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be a source of comfort and support at the time of loss including a bereavement. Their presence can 

mitigate loneliness and may act as a repository for memories of the lifelong companion/spouse or 

previous dwelling/home” (qtd in Allison 333). Both of these pieces of evidence suggest a strong 

correlation between having a service dog and the feel of a loving relationship. Chance for depression 

and loneliness that occurs within our daily lives will be greatly decreased when you have a service dog 

by your side. 

Therefore, pet therapy provides its patients with more opportunities to grow on physical, 

social, and emotional levels. So, by incorporating service dogs into therapy, patients are able to have a 

wider variety of care. They can provide more exercise opportunities, encourage social behavior, and 

improve emotional stability. In the future, you should consider instituting pet therapy into your 

medical practices to ensure that your patients receive the highest quality care possible. 

 
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Works Cited 

Hayhurst, Chris. “THE ROLE OF Therapy and Service Animals in PHYSICAL THERAPY.” ​PT in 

Motion.​ Vol. 11 Issue 9. (2019). Pg 28-37. ​Consumer Health Complete. 7 Dec. 2020. 

“​Therapy Dogs United.”​ Smith’s Hot Dogs, Erie Insurance, Boscovs, HK Fund, Erie County, N.D. 

www.therapydogsunited.org/programs/facility-therapy-dog/ 

Tielsch Goddard, Anna and Mary Jo Gilmer. “The Role and Impact of Animals with Pediatric 

Patients.” ​Pediatric Nursing.​ Vol. 41 Issue 2. (2015). Pg. 65-71. ​Consumer Health 

Complete.  17 Dec. 2020. 

While, Allison. “Pet dogs as promoters of wellbeing.” ​British Journal of Community Nursing.​ Vol. 22 

Issue 7. (2017). Pg. 332-336. ​Consumer Health Complete.​ 14 Dec. 2020.