10 Best Therapy Dogs of 2023

Therapy dogs have become a valuable asset in various settings, from hospitals to schools and even in disaster relief efforts. They have the ability to help provide comfort and emotional support to those in need, making them a vital part of many therapy programs. With so many breeds available to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which dog is best suited for therapy work.

In this article, we'll explore some of the best therapy dog breeds of 2023, highlighting their unique personality traits and characteristics that can make them ideal for this important job.

1. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are a great choice for therapy work. They are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate dogs that are known for their calm, gentle, and patient demeanor. They are typically highly trainable and can excel at obedience and service work, allowing them to follow commands and behave appropriately in a variety of settings.

Additionally, they have a natural instinct to comfort and nurture, making them a great choice for providing emotional support to those in need. Their medium size also helps makes them easy to handle, and their energy and enthusiasm help to create a positive environment for those they are visiting.

2. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are another popular breed for therapy dogs, and for good reason. They are known for their friendly and patient nature, which helps make them ideal for working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

Golden Retrievers are also highly intelligent and are generally easy to train, which helps them to follow commands and behave appropriately in a variety of circumstances. Their medium size helps make them easy to handle, and their outgoing personalities can create an engaging environment for those they visit.

3. Poodle

Poodles are also a popular choice for therapy dogs due to their intelligence, trainability, and hypoallergenic coat. They have a gentle and calm temperament that is well-suited for working with individuals who may be experiencing anxiety or stress.

Poodles are also highly adaptable and can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Additionally, their hypoallergenic coat makes them a great choice for individuals who may have allergies or sensitivities to dogs.

4. French Bulldog

French bulldogs are known for their calm and affectionate nature, which makes them a great choice for a therapy dog. They are also small in size, which makes them easier to handle and transport to different locations.

French bulldogs are intelligent dogs that are generally easy to train. This is an important quality in a therapy dog, as they need to be able to follow commands and behave appropriately in a wide array of circumstances.

5. Border Collie

Border Collies are well-known for their remarkable intelligence, work ethic, and loyalty. These traits make them exceptional candidates for various roles, including therapy dogs.

Their high level of focus and attentiveness make them acutely aware of their surroundings and the needs of their human counterparts, making them adept at providing emotional support. Border Collies are generally highly trainable and thrive on mental stimulation, which allows them to master complex tasks and routines with ease.

It should be noted that Border Collies are known to have herding tendencies and may attempt to nip children at their heels to herd them. While this can be undone with training, these dogs may be better suited to working with adults.

6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their ability to sense the emotional needs of their human companions and provide them with comfort and support. Cavaliers are also highly adaptable and can easily adjust to various environments and situations, making them perfect for different therapy settings.

Their small size also allows them to easily interact with children and elderly individuals, who may benefit from their calming presence. Additionally, Cavaliers are highly trainable and generally respond well to positive reinforcement, which helps them learn new skills and tasks quickly.

7. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise can make excellent therapy dogs due to their cheerful and social nature. This breed is known to be particularly great with children due to their patient and gentle temperaments. Bichon Frise love being around people and are always eager to please. They have a natural ability to sense when someone needs comfort and can help provide a calming influence in tense situations. Bichons are also hypoallergenic, which makes them a great choice for individuals with allergies.

Their small size and playful demeanor help make them a perfect fit for children and the elderly, as they are gentle and easy to handle. Like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bichon Frises are quick learners and are highly responsive to positive reinforcement, which allows them to quickly learn new tasks and tricks.

8. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers, also known as Yorkies, are known for their spunky and energetic personalities, but they also possess qualities that can make them excellent therapy dogs. Their willingness to please their human companions and ability to pick up on the emotions of those around them help make them a great fit for therapy work.

Yorkies are highly adaptable and can easily adjust to different environments and people. They are also intelligent and love mental stimulation, which allows them to quickly learn new tasks and routines.

9. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Corgis are known for their friendly and sociable personalities, which make them excellent therapy dogs. Corgis have a natural ability to sense when someone needs comfort and can help provide a calming influence. Their adaptive nature allows them to easily adjust to different environments and interact with individuals of all ages, including children and the elderly.

Additionally, their energetic and playful nature also makes them great companions for physical therapy sessions.

10. Maltese

Maltese dogs are known for their friendly, outgoing personalities and their ability to provide comfort and affection to their human companions. They are small, gentle dogs that are well-suited for therapy work, especially with children and the elderly.

Maltese dogs are highly adaptable and can easily adjust to different environments and people, making them well-suited for therapy work in a variety of settings. They are also intelligent and quick learners, which helps them to quickly pick up on new tasks and routines.

How Spot Pet Insurance Can Help:

Therapy dogs can help provide immense support and comfort to those in need, regardless of the breed. However, owning a therapy dog can come with certain responsibilities, including the need for proper training, socialization, and veterinary care.

Pet insurance can play a vital role in helping to ensure that therapy dogs can get the best possible care for unexpected accidents and illnesses. Also, preventive care coverage for routine check-ups can be added for an extra cost. By getting a Spot Dog Insurance plan, owners can find peace of mind by knowing that their therapy dog has help getting the care they need.

Spot Pet Insurance plans gives pet parents the ability to customize their coverage options. Spot plans offer coverage for accidents, illnesses, and preventative care coverage add-on options. With a Spot Pet Insurance plan, pet parents can choose the coverage that is right for the unique needs of their pet as well as their budget and enjoy help with getting peace of mind that their pet is covered in case of an unexpected accident or illness.

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