What Is a Therapy Dog?

As far back as the 1700’s, dogs have been used in therapeutic settings to provide comfort. In the 1970’s, several national therapy dog organizations emerged in the United States. These organizations registered handler and therapy dog teams who most often volunteered in nursing homes and facilities for people with developmental disabilities.

Over the past few decades, the world of therapy dogs has evolved and dogs now visit a wide variety of settings. One of the most recent developments is the use of therapy dogs in funeral homes, where dogs provide comfort to people who are grieving. An increasing number of funeral directors are recognizing that therapy dogs provide comfort and unconditional love to those who are attending funerals. Jessica Koth, the spokeswoman for the National Funeral Directors Association, confirmed that therapy dogs at funeral homes are on the rise.