Animal-assisted therapy uses trained animals to support human health and emotional wellbeing, but the welfare of the therapy animals themselves — dogs, horses, and other species — requires systematic attention to prevent burnout and stress.
The welfare paradox of animal-assisted therapy is that animals providing welfare benefits to humans may themselves experience welfare compromise from the demands of the work. High-traffic therapy environments with many strangers, unpredictable interactions, and limited retreat opportunities cause measurable stress responses in therapy dogs. The growing understanding of consent in therapy animal work — allowing animals to choose engagement rather than forcing participation — represents a significant welfare advance. Therapy dogs that show approach and engagement during sessions, enjoy novel interactions, and display relaxed body language throughout are appropriate for the work. Those showing avoidance, arousal, or behavioral shutdown are communicating welfare-relevant information that handlers must respect. Regular welfare assessment, limited session durations, and genuine rest time between work periods are minimum welfare provisions.