Dogs are man's best friend and now they have turned therapeutic too. These furry friends are doubling up as therapists for stress, depression and other ailments. The general mental benefits of therapy through animals include decrease in feeling of isolation and alienation, improved socialization skills, reduced self-consciousness and anxiety. It also helps children overcome speech and emotional disorder and creates motivation for the patient to recover faster. Therapy dogs are tested for temperament and trained to carry out their duties. The dogs have to be above the age of two years so that they are physically and mentally mature enough and must pass the 5 steps test to be certified as one.
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