Puppies Downunder is a top organisation that is licensed through the Victorian State Government and is held to high standards when breeding or selling therapy dogs. This organisation is known to be a top tier place for someone who is on the hunt for the best therapy dog.
So many people battle ongoing issues that could require assistance in one way or another. Some may need actual therapy, some may need medication, while others could use a loyal companion… like a dog.
Retired veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), people with epilepsy, people with anxiety/depression, or someone with special needs (e.g., Autism, Aspergers, etc.) have been shown to have minimized daily issues and symptoms when they have a therapy dog in their life.
The four breeds, Groodle, Labradoodle, Bordoodle, and Aussiedoodle have proven themselves in this arena. They have the traits and desires that make them helpful to many people. Read on to see why each of these breeds stands out among the crowd.
What is a Therapy Dog?
When the term “therapy dog” is used one may imagine a service dog at work. This is not the case; a therapy dog is different from a service dog but is still greatly needed to help people.
A therapy dog doesn’t require special training but will typically go through the training process and acquires a certification. Temperament assessments are always part of this process as well as they will be used for emotional support.
Therapy dogs give comfort and affection to individuals with physical or emotional problems. This is done in a facility setting or in the home.
What Makes a Good Therapy Dog?
While every breed has the potential to be a therapy dog, not every dog is cut out for the job. A good therapy dog has to have a certain temperament and calmness about them. They should be eager to please which will make them willing to listen and be there for the individual.
Keep in mind, that there are many distractions and outside noises that can interfere with a dog’s attention span. If the dog is able to block out that stimuli and ignore the distractions to stay focused, it will be a perfect fit. Of course, the most important quality that a dog must have is enjoying human contact in all instances.
Other qualities that a good therapy dog should possess include patience, friendliness, confidence, and gentleness.
Groodle
A Groodle aka a Goldendoodle is a crossbreed between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. They are medium-sized dogs with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Not only does their fluffy and curly coat make them cute to look at, but their personality will win over anyone.
Groodles are highly intelligent making them easy to train. They are loving and personable dogs that love human interaction. This breed is a great choice for a therapy dog because of its gentle and friendly personality.
A Poodle is hypoallergenic, loving, and intelligent while a Golden Retriever is friendly, calm, and intelligent. Mixing the two into a Groodle means that they have the best of those qualities.
Labradoodle
Labradoodles are good for many things which include being a therapy dog for those in need. They are loving and loyal to those around them and will befriend anyone they meet. Again, the Labradoodle is bred from two of the best breeds in the world, a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever.
They were originally bred to be guide dogs to lead the blind, which should tell how trusting this breed truly is! They have the intelligence and patience to put them at the top of the list for therapy dogs.
For someone who struggles with anxiety or any other mental health issue, the Labradoodle will be there for emotional support at any time of the day.
Bordoodles
When a Border Collie and a Poodle are bred with each other, you get a Bordoodle sometimes known as a Borpoo! This low maintenance breed ranks high on the intelligence scale. They are easy to train to like to show a lot of affection to those around them.
The Bordoodle has a protective side and will likely keep its owner safe. This is a great thing to remember when dealing with a person battling issues such as epilepsy or panic attacks. They will be sure to keep the person safe during any episodes that may occur, whether it be keeping them from injuring themselves or keeping strangers from harming them.
Aussiedoodles
Aussidoodles are the result of breeding an Australian Shepard with a Poodle. Australian Shepherds have always been known for their intelligence and keen senses when it comes to the herding aspect. These qualities trickle into their offspring in the best of ways.
A Poodle, as mentioned before, is smart, easy to train, noble, loving, and all of the above. An Aussiedoodle comes with a lot of energy and loves to play but they also can be trained to be calm in certain situations.
They have the senses and dignity to know when to buckle down, give proper attention, and help someone who needs it.
Conclusion
As an organization that is held to the highest standards, Puppies Downunder takes great pride in the therapy dogs that are bred. Only the best dogs are bred to produce puppies that will have the utmost intelligence and potential to provide this service.
Poodles are typically chosen as a breeding mate because of their temperament and personality. They have always been chosen to be trained in many aspects and being a therapy dog is one of those. The 4 types described in this reading are four of the most trustworthy and most dependable dogs that anyone could ask for.
For someone who is looking into getting a therapy dog, look no further, this is the right place to be and the right dog for the job!