Animal-assisted therapy uses trained animals to support human therapeutic goals, but raises important welfare questions about the wellbeing of the animals participating in these programs.
Therapy animals provide genuine benefits to vulnerable humans, but their welfare needs require equal consideration. Dogs who show stress signals during visits are not choosing their work — they are complying with handler instructions. Programs that allow animals to disengage, that monitor for chronic stress, that limit working hours, and that have clear retirement criteria protect the welfare of animals who cannot consent to their role. Welfare-conscious therapy animal programs are not just ethically superior — they are also more effective, as relaxed animals provide better therapeutic experiences.