How do you feel about therapy animals?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (114029)
United States
January 13, 2026 3:50pm CST
I’m not talking about people trying to pass off their regular pets off as actual therapy animals on planes. That’s a whole different topic, in my opinion. @NJChicaa mentioned she thought Charlie (I believe it Charlie) would be good to take to nursing homes as a therapy cat because he’s such a friendly guy. Which reminded me of the last time I was at my pain management doctor’s office. One of the nurses had a pit bull, and the pit bull was so good with kids he put her through the process of getting certified.
That therapy pit bull was such a hit! Privately, the nurse told me he thought the doctor actually allowed the dog because it relaxed the STAFF. People in pain are (understandably) cranky, and this calmed EVERYbody. I did wonder about people’s reactions because pit bulls get a bad reputation (too many bad owners), and also any patients that are allergic.
At my late grandma’s assisted living facility they brought in a mini horse as a therapy animal. She said it was a huge hit! Of course, they also had a therapy dog visit too. I don’t think they had any complaints either.
Would you like to see legit therapy animals at highly stressful places? Seeing that sweet pit bull at pain management made my day.
19 people like this
19 responses
@NJChicaa (126529)
• United States
13 Jan
I'm good with legit certified therapy animals. I cannot stand the a-holes who get the fake certificates to bring their untrained animals everywhere because they just want them there. I haven't given up on the idea of making Charlie a therapy pet. He'd be great.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (494606)
• Italy
14 Jan
I know that several nursing homes have cats, the residents love to pet them and they feel relaxed having a sweet animals on their knees. Therapy animals should be allowed, BUT people could be also free to say that they do not want to get close of one. I would be very happy with a cat, but I would feel extremely stressed near a pit bull.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (130543)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Jan
Pit bulls are very loving if raised right. I worked in a nursing home that had a golden retriever in the memory care ward. It calmed the patients a lot
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (114029)
• United States
14 Jan
@wolfgirl569 That’s smart. If only everyone were smart with their dogs.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (130543)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Jan
@AmbiePam I have had what would be termed aggressive dogs. Bambi, a bully type, hated almost every one. But she obeyed me. Patch border collie is very territorial so can be aggressive. Also she isn't good with kids because of being teased. So for extra safety I have a muzzle for her when we go anywhere
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55490)
•
14 Jan
I have a friend I used to do rescue work with, she lives in southern IL. She has 3 Australian Shepherds. They are all rescue dogs, one of them is missing a front leg, he had lost it before she got him. All three are therapy dogs, she takes them to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, etc. They are a huge hit, everyone wants to see them and they are so patient and calm, considering all the people they encounter.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55490)
•
14 Jan
@AmbiePam
My friend was not able to have children, and the dogs she rescues, and she says she was meant to do this. She's so good at it, I truly think she really was!
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8876)
• United Kingdom
15 Jan
I think therapy animals have their place where a person has chosen to be part of it. I don't agree with things like having them in public spaces with an assumption that everyone is OK with them. However friendly or trained an animal is, there are people who may be allergic to or frightened of them. A therapy animal isn't going to work if a person is stressed by seeing it. I think, maybe, there should be individual or group sessions where all parties have agreed to it but I don't think anyone should be made to feel uncomfortable by it.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (169326)
• United States
14 Jan
Some people get animals that are problematic and call them "therapy animals" just to irritate other people. Calling an animal that is huge (a full-sized horse) a therapy animal or one that stinks shouldn't be allowed.
The pit bull would set off my allergies (but so does any furbaby) and scare the crap out of me if it's wandering around in a closed space with me.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (169326)
• United States
14 Jan
@AmbiePam I'd hope somebody would keep furbabies away from people with allergies. But just being in the same room with one has me reaching for my epi-pens.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (118857)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
14 Jan
I would like to see therapy animals used to cheer people in need.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (215395)
• United States
14 Jan
Dogs always calm me down and make me smile. Cousin #2's Pomeranian is a therapy animal. She takes him everywhere.
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (4844)
• Northampton, England
14 Jan
Big explosion of people with these pets now .
1 person likes this
@valherma00 (1445)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
16 Jan
i would love to see that and feel that positive energy. you are right, pit bull. i have a white one in a neighbourhood and he or she might look scary but never bark at me, which deligted me
1 person likes this
@xstitcher (38182)
• Petaluma, California
14 Jan
Yes, I would! They were training a therapy dog some time ago at the place I see the doctor, but I only saw her that day. I don't know if she still comes.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (94900)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Jan
I think it is good that animals can be of help to people. They are so loving and intelligent.
1 person likes this
