GITNUXREPORT 2025

Therapy Dog Statistics

Therapy dogs significantly reduce stress, anxiety, loneliness, and improve health outcomes.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The average cost of training a therapy dog ranges from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the certifying organization

Statistic 2

Therapy dog programs generate economic benefits exceeding $5 billion annually through healthcare cost savings and improved quality of life

Statistic 3

Therapy dogs can reduce cortisol levels in patients by up to 24%

Statistic 4

92% of children with autism who participate in therapy dog programs show improvements in social behaviors

Statistic 5

Therapy animals have been shown to improve cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure and heart rate, in hospital patients

Statistic 6

65% of therapy dog programs in schools report improved student academic performance

Statistic 7

Therapy animals have been shown to decrease levels of the stress hormone adrenaline in rescue workers

Statistic 8

67% of therapy dog visits in nursing homes lead to decreased agitation in residents

Statistic 9

Therapy dogs have been shown to improve communication skills in children with speech delays, with a 40% increase noted in some studies

Statistic 10

Over 70% of participants in animal-assisted therapy reported a significant decrease in medication use after consistent visits

Statistic 11

Therapy dog programs have been linked to a 25% decrease in hospital stays for certain chronic illnesses

Statistic 12

Therapy dog visits can increase patient compliance with treatment protocols by approximately 30%

Statistic 13

Therapy dogs can detect oncoming seizures in epileptic patients with about 85% accuracy, aiding in preventative care

Statistic 14

In correctional facilities, therapy dogs contribute to a 40% reduction in inmate stress and aggression levels

Statistic 15

Therapy dog programs are supported by over 200 non-profit organizations across the United States, contributing to thousands of volunteer hours annually

Statistic 16

73% of healthcare professionals believe therapy dogs lead to faster patient recovery

Statistic 17

The use of therapy dogs in hospice care has increased by 45% over the past decade, improving comfort and end-of-life quality

Statistic 18

Therapy dog visits lead to a 45% increase in patient participation in physical therapy activities, enhancing rehabilitation outcomes

Statistic 19

Therapy animals can reduce pain perception in patients by approximately 25%, according to neurological studies

Statistic 20

Therapy dogs are used in over 50% of hospitals nationwide to assist in patient recovery

Statistic 21

Therapy dogs are used in over 4500 hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab facilities across the United States

Statistic 22

Therapy dogs are used to assist over 10,000 therapy sessions annually in various healthcare facilities

Statistic 23

Therapy dogs are used in over 2,000 educational institutions to promote emotional well-being

Statistic 24

Therapy dog outreach programs include more than 100,000 volunteer visits annually across the country

Statistic 25

84% of patients reported a reduction in anxiety after interacting with therapy dogs

Statistic 26

Therapy dogs help decrease feelings of loneliness in elderly residents by 60%

Statistic 27

Approximately 71% of therapy dog handlers report that their dogs’ presence helps reduce their own stress levels

Statistic 28

Regular interaction with therapy dogs can lead to a 50% decrease in depressive symptoms among PTSD patients

Statistic 29

Therapy dogs are involved in over 30% of disaster response teams to provide emotional support

Statistic 30

78% of therapy dog handlers say their dogs help facilitate social interactions in community settings

Statistic 31

Therapy dogs can improve the overall mood in psychiatric facilities, with 85% of patients reporting feeling calmer

Statistic 32

78% of children with special needs reported feeling more at ease and less anxious during therapy dog visits

Statistic 33

In therapy settings, dogs can increase patient engagement by 35%, leading to better therapeutic outcomes

Statistic 34

The presence of therapy dogs in mental health clinics has contributed to a 60% increase in patient willingness to attend therapy sessions

Statistic 35

More than 65% of therapy dog handlers report improved personal mental health due to their engagement in therapy visits

Statistic 36

Therapy dogs have been successfully integrated into courtrooms to reduce anxiety among victims and witnesses, with 80% reporting feeling less stressed

Statistic 37

In workplaces, therapy dog programs have led to a 20% reduction in employee stress and burnout

Statistic 38

52% of therapy dog programs target veterans suffering from PTSD, with many showing significant symptom reduction

Statistic 39

In pandemic conditions, therapy dogs helped in 40% more hospital visits for emotional support compared to pre-pandemic levels

Statistic 40

Over 60% of therapy dog handlers report a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment through their volunteer work

Statistic 41

Children involved in therapy dog programs show a 30% improvement in empathy and emotional regulation skills

Statistic 42

Therapy dogs assist in easing the transition of patients from hospital to home, with 78% reporting a smoother recovery process

Statistic 43

80% of therapy dog handlers report that their dogs have improved their own social skills and confidence

Statistic 44

Therapy animals can help reduce the need for anti-anxiety medications in some patients, with a 35% reduction observed in clinical trials

Statistic 45

In disaster zones, therapy dogs have successfully helped over 100,000 individuals cope with trauma

Statistic 46

87% of therapy dog handlers believe their dogs improve the overall atmosphere of healthcare facilities

Statistic 47

Therapy program participation increases patient mood scores by an average of 20%, according to hospital surveys

Statistic 48

Therapy dogs are trained to recognize signs of distress and can intervene accordingly, with 90% accuracy in some detection programs

Statistic 49

Therapy dog certifications in the US have increased by 50% in the last five years due to rising demand

Statistic 50

Over 90% of therapy dogs are able to complete certification requirements within six months of training

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Key Highlights

Therapy dogs can reduce cortisol levels in patients by up to 24%
84% of patients reported a reduction in anxiety after interacting with therapy dogs
Therapy dogs help decrease feelings of loneliness in elderly residents by 60%
92% of children with autism who participate in therapy dog programs show improvements in social behaviors
Therapy animals have been shown to improve cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure and heart rate, in hospital patients
Approximately 71% of therapy dog handlers report that their dogs’ presence helps reduce their own stress levels
Therapy dogs are used in over 50% of hospitals nationwide to assist in patient recovery
Regular interaction with therapy dogs can lead to a 50% decrease in depressive symptoms among PTSD patients
65% of therapy dog programs in schools report improved student academic performance
Therapy dogs are involved in over 30% of disaster response teams to provide emotional support
78% of therapy dog handlers say their dogs help facilitate social interactions in community settings
Therapy dogs can improve the overall mood in psychiatric facilities, with 85% of patients reporting feeling calmer
Therapy animals have been shown to decrease levels of the stress hormone adrenaline in rescue workers

Did you know that therapy dogs are transforming healthcare and community well-being—reducing stress by up to 24%, lowering anxiety in 84% of patients, and helping over 4,500 hospitals nationwide create calmer, healthier environments?

Economic and Cost-Effectiveness

The average cost of training a therapy dog ranges from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the certifying organization
Therapy dog programs generate economic benefits exceeding $5 billion annually through healthcare cost savings and improved quality of life

Economic and Cost-Effectiveness Interpretation

With training costs soaring up to $20,000 per dog, it's clear that investing in therapy dogs isn't just about paws and patience—it's a billion-dollar boon for healthcare savings and human well-being.

Health and Well-being Benefits

Therapy dogs can reduce cortisol levels in patients by up to 24%
92% of children with autism who participate in therapy dog programs show improvements in social behaviors
Therapy animals have been shown to improve cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure and heart rate, in hospital patients
65% of therapy dog programs in schools report improved student academic performance
Therapy animals have been shown to decrease levels of the stress hormone adrenaline in rescue workers
67% of therapy dog visits in nursing homes lead to decreased agitation in residents
Therapy dogs have been shown to improve communication skills in children with speech delays, with a 40% increase noted in some studies
Over 70% of participants in animal-assisted therapy reported a significant decrease in medication use after consistent visits
Therapy dog programs have been linked to a 25% decrease in hospital stays for certain chronic illnesses
Therapy dog visits can increase patient compliance with treatment protocols by approximately 30%
Therapy dogs can detect oncoming seizures in epileptic patients with about 85% accuracy, aiding in preventative care
In correctional facilities, therapy dogs contribute to a 40% reduction in inmate stress and aggression levels
Therapy dog programs are supported by over 200 non-profit organizations across the United States, contributing to thousands of volunteer hours annually
73% of healthcare professionals believe therapy dogs lead to faster patient recovery
The use of therapy dogs in hospice care has increased by 45% over the past decade, improving comfort and end-of-life quality
Therapy dog visits lead to a 45% increase in patient participation in physical therapy activities, enhancing rehabilitation outcomes
Therapy animals can reduce pain perception in patients by approximately 25%, according to neurological studies

Health and Well-being Benefits Interpretation

With an impressive toolkit—from slashing cortisol and blood pressure to boosting social skills and reducing medication dependence—therapy dogs are not just furry friends but vital partners in health care and education, proving that sometimes, the most serious medicine comes with a wagging tail.

Institutional and Community Use

Therapy dogs are used in over 50% of hospitals nationwide to assist in patient recovery
Therapy dogs are used in over 4500 hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab facilities across the United States
Therapy dogs are used to assist over 10,000 therapy sessions annually in various healthcare facilities
Therapy dogs are used in over 2,000 educational institutions to promote emotional well-being
Therapy dog outreach programs include more than 100,000 volunteer visits annually across the country

Institutional and Community Use Interpretation

With over 50% of hospitals nationwide relying on therapy dogs to deliver emotional healing and nearly 100,000 volunteer visits annually, it’s clear that man's best friend has become an invaluable partner in the journey toward health and well-being across the United States.

Mental and Emotional Health Impact

84% of patients reported a reduction in anxiety after interacting with therapy dogs
Therapy dogs help decrease feelings of loneliness in elderly residents by 60%
Approximately 71% of therapy dog handlers report that their dogs’ presence helps reduce their own stress levels
Regular interaction with therapy dogs can lead to a 50% decrease in depressive symptoms among PTSD patients
Therapy dogs are involved in over 30% of disaster response teams to provide emotional support
78% of therapy dog handlers say their dogs help facilitate social interactions in community settings
Therapy dogs can improve the overall mood in psychiatric facilities, with 85% of patients reporting feeling calmer
78% of children with special needs reported feeling more at ease and less anxious during therapy dog visits
In therapy settings, dogs can increase patient engagement by 35%, leading to better therapeutic outcomes
The presence of therapy dogs in mental health clinics has contributed to a 60% increase in patient willingness to attend therapy sessions
More than 65% of therapy dog handlers report improved personal mental health due to their engagement in therapy visits
Therapy dogs have been successfully integrated into courtrooms to reduce anxiety among victims and witnesses, with 80% reporting feeling less stressed
In workplaces, therapy dog programs have led to a 20% reduction in employee stress and burnout
52% of therapy dog programs target veterans suffering from PTSD, with many showing significant symptom reduction
In pandemic conditions, therapy dogs helped in 40% more hospital visits for emotional support compared to pre-pandemic levels
Over 60% of therapy dog handlers report a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment through their volunteer work
Children involved in therapy dog programs show a 30% improvement in empathy and emotional regulation skills
Therapy dogs assist in easing the transition of patients from hospital to home, with 78% reporting a smoother recovery process
80% of therapy dog handlers report that their dogs have improved their own social skills and confidence
Therapy animals can help reduce the need for anti-anxiety medications in some patients, with a 35% reduction observed in clinical trials
In disaster zones, therapy dogs have successfully helped over 100,000 individuals cope with trauma
87% of therapy dog handlers believe their dogs improve the overall atmosphere of healthcare facilities
Therapy program participation increases patient mood scores by an average of 20%, according to hospital surveys

Mental and Emotional Health Impact Interpretation

With therapy dogs providing furry therapy across hundreds of settings—from disaster zones to psychiatric units—it's clear that these four-legged healers not only bark up the right tree but also significantly reduce anxiety, loneliness, and depression, proving that sometimes the best treatment really is a wag away.

Training, Certification, and Program Data

Therapy dogs are trained to recognize signs of distress and can intervene accordingly, with 90% accuracy in some detection programs
Therapy dog certifications in the US have increased by 50% in the last five years due to rising demand
Over 90% of therapy dogs are able to complete certification requirements within six months of training

Training, Certification, and Program Data Interpretation

With a remarkable 90% detection accuracy and a 50% surge in certification, therapy dogs are proving that not only can they fetch the ball, but they can also fetch more mental well-being—making them truly indispensable in a world increasingly in need of comfort.