Disability Support Therapy Dogs
Disability Support Therapy Dogs

These therapy dogs offer friendship, comfort and companionship to those living with a disability.

One in four New Zealanders are faced with a disability or multiple disabilities and around 11% are vulnerable young children.

Dogs don’t judge a person who may look or act differently. They are fully accepting of all types of people and they bring fun, playfulness and positive energy into any situation or home. Therapy dogs provide a welcome relief from a person or child’s condition through distraction and interaction.

Therapy dogs can help children and adults cope with physiotherapy and hospital procedures, as well as give them emotional support, encourage movement and provide hours of companionship on the bed for those with chronic illness or restricted movement.

Our Mission

We specialise in helping Kiwis with disabilities and we know that our therapy dogs can create a world of difference for you or your family. Our therapy dogs can also be trained to provide support for a number of different issues or complex living situations.

Who Is Suitable?

support for children & adults

There is a range of common disabilities or conditions that a therapy dog can support:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (in particular we focus on high-functioning autism with symptoms such as inability to relax or sleep, anxiety and withdrawn emotionally)
  • Down syndrome
  • Global developmental delay
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Physical disabilities
  • Brain injuries
  • Chronic pain syndromes
IMPORTANT NOTES

In order to match and train the right type of therapy dog we will need to assess your needs and requirements. A therapy dog may not provide the right type of support in some cases, however we will work hard to make sure you find the right solution for you. 

OTHER

 Therapy Dog Roles

Reading Support Dog

Therapy Dog Role

Emotional Support Dog

Therapy Dog Role

Facility Therapy Dog

Therapy Dog Role