These Therapy Dogs Ease Anxiety, Bring Joy to Seniors in Need

In New York, the nonprofit Therapy Dogs of Long Island brings certified dogs to comfort people with physical or mental health challenges at senior care communities, hospitals, and private residences with people in long-term care especially benefiting, reports Today . A hallmark of a therapy dog is an easygoing nature in many situations, and the dogs must engage and respond positively, even when the people they are visiting behave in ways that can scare the animals. Nonprofit founder Terry Gallogly says at senior care communities, the dogs are ready to cuddle and play, even when residents are confined to wheelchairs, or cannot speak or move quickly. Residents often laugh, hug, and kiss the dogs, and sometimes engage with them more they do with other people. "What other instance can you go over to something that's living and breathing, get love from and pet them, hug them?" Gallogly said. "They don't care what your mental capacity is or what your physical or looks are. It's that unconditional love and non-judgment I think that brings the most joy."