Best breed of dog for a therapy/emotional support dog.?

Question

I'm currently studying for a bachelor of Social Work degree and I was interested to find out what sort of dog would have the best temperment and appearance for working with abused children or victims of violent crime (some victims advocates have dogs that go to court and stay with the victim while they testify since they cannot have a person there on the stand with them as support and court can be a very intimidating place). I'm thinking one of the retriever breeds? Does anyone else have any ideas please?

Answer 1

definitely a labrador

(golden or chocolate are cutest)

Answer 2

The 2 most commons ones are the Golden Retriever and The Labrador Retriever , but any dog can be one , It all in the way you train them , Like it was said previously , APBT would be great therapy dog if it wasn't of all the bad media around them , I can also say that the LAB X Bernese ( Labernese) are wonderfull therapy dog , This is the one they use around here .  I do not recommend a ''small'' breed . Since certain small breed are more likely to get really nerveous or exited around alot of people .  But Definalty Golden , Even though they were bred to ''retrieve'' in the Hunting season , Now there are most commonly use as family dog , they are smart , loving , calm great family dog  .  

Answer 3

My Greyhound is a wonderful certified therapy dog.

Greyhounds have little to no body odor, shed way less than the retriever breeds, and I have not found anyone to be intimidated by this gentle, elegant breed of dogs.   Another BIG plus, is that most people who are allergic to dogs are not allergic to Greyhounds.

We do hospice and nursing home work, and participate in children's reading programs .... the kids almost fight over who gets to read to Rainy ... she's a pretty red brindle color, so her coloration is much like a tiger.   They all want to read to "the tiger dog" ... LOL !!

Why not consider a retired racer for your therapy dog?

Answer 4

Many therapy dogs are Golden Retrievers, mainly for their sweet nature, devotion to their people, and trainability.

Answer 5

A collie.

Children love Lassie - you would be hard pressed to find one that didn't.  Fortunately, collies also live up to their reputation as fantastic children's dogs.  They are patient, kind, gentle dogs that are usually as equally attracted to the child as the child is to "Lassie".  

My daughter is autistic and learned to walk much later than most children.  Just about the same time she learned to walk, we got our first collie as a dog we were going to foster while she was looking for a foster home.  Our foster dog would walk to my daughter, let my daughter use her fur to hoist herself into a standing position and then would walk slowly with my daughter still grabbing her fur for balance.  I never, ever saw the dog voice any displeasure for having her fur grabbed and she seemed to really understand, if not truly enjoy, helping my daughter learn to walk.  We have since adopted her and another collie and they have been a true pleasure to have around.

Answer 6

Retrievers are the most common used for therapy dogs but years ago they used Sheppard's. American, Australian, and German Sheppard's.

A lot of times a plain ole mutt from the shelter can be trained to be the best dogs in the world.  Mutts generally live longer than pure breeds as well.

I raise standard Dachshunds and find they are the best tempered dogs with any family. (opposed to the yappy minni's) but I would stick with a larger breed.

Also, let the animal shelter know what you are looking for and a lot of times they will donate these dogs to you.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

The most common therapy dogs are Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers, but really any breed can do it!  American Pit Bull Terriers make excellent therapy dogs, due to their desire to please, trainability, and the fact they were bred to be human-centered, but of course some people are intimidated by them.  Actually, for a child in a stressful situation like that, a gentle small dog that could sit on their lap might be ideal, a lot of small children are scared of or intimidated by a large dog.  I just helped out with a therapy dog screening locally, some of the dogs that did the best were mixed-breed dogs of all types rescued from the local shelter, so do keep that in mind!

Answer 8

Labradors or Golden Retrievers, they are both very loyal, loving dogs, great with people and very eager to please. l think they would make the perfect choice.

Answer 9

Golden retriever, or pit bull.  

Answer 10

well i think a wheaten terrier is the best for that. they are fun and kind and super cute

Answer 11

Any type of dog really. My dog trainer is a behaviourist and she trains therapy dogs and she says it's in the dog - any highly intelligent breed can do this, the choice is often based on the availability of dogs and the trainers knowledge of the breed.

Since working with my griffon, she has been recommending brussels griffons as long with other breeds so I don't think there is a definite list.

Answer 12

Definately a lab.  

By the way, that is a great idea.I've worked in the criminal justice system and have never heard of that.  

Answer 13

labrador ,golden, or maybe a cavalier king charles spaniel they are soo cute  

Answer 14

labs and retrievers have a good tempermant and they're pretty easy going and friendly as well