At Therapiezentrum am Maienplatz, man’s best friend is not just a welcome guest but an integral part of the therapeutic concept: Therapy dogs support the team in treating patients—with lots of patience, intuition, and a keen sense for moods.
What do therapy dogs achieve?
Working with specially trained dogs in occupational therapy is more than just a pleasant bonus—it is professionally grounded and therapeutically effective. Dogs naturally build trust, reduce stress, promote emotional openness, and can be purposefully used to motivate, activate, and calm patients. Children and people with neurological conditions especially benefit noticeably.
How does a therapy session with a dog proceed?
Depending on the treatment goal, the therapy dog is actively integrated into the session:
- motivates targeted movement exercises
- supports concentration and endurance
- strengthens self-esteem
- serves as a nonverbal communication partner
- helps foster empathy and social behavior
Of course, the individual therapy goal always remains the focus—the animal-assisted work is an additional tool used with great empathy and professional expertise.
Who is allowed to work with the therapy dog?
Our dogs are specially trained and certified and are handled only by therapeutic professionals with additional qualifications in animal-assisted therapy. For many of our patients—young and old—the dog is not just a helper but also a comforter, bridge-builder, and motivator.
A special approach to therapy
Especially for children, people with autism spectrum disorders, or patients with mental illnesses, the dog can be the key to even engaging in treatment. Trust and joy are often the first steps toward therapeutic progress—and this is precisely where the presence of a dog often works true wonders.
Conclusion:
Animal-assisted occupational therapy with our therapy dogs is a valuable addition to our work. It makes therapy not only more effective but often simply a bit more heartfelt.
