Dogs have been used as therapeutic tools, from providing comfort, to partaking in animal assisted therapy, to working as service animals, performing specific tasks to combat psychiatric disabilities.
Research studies have shown that depressed patients partaking in animal assisted therapy programs were more likely to socialize and experience an improvement in mood.
Autistic patients also showed an increase in socialization and an improvement in attention span.
Patients with Altzheimer’s disease were less likely to experience anger outbursts.
Patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia , when accompanied by a canine, felt calmer and more socially competent.

One of the greatest challenges for psychiatric patients is relating to people and having their needs met. Dogs act as a bridge to developing communication skills and confidence. And more important, they help reach patients who would otherwise be resistant to therapy.