As the founder of Canines for Christ, an international therapy dog organization with over 1,200 Spirit-filled volunteers, I have personally made thousands of visits with my therapy dogs over the years. I have seen the profound impact that therapy dogs have on people’s lives. They lift spirits and lessen depression, lower anxiety, reduce loneliness, encourage communication, reduce boredom, provide comfort, decrease feelings of isolation and alienation, lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, release endorphins that have a calming effect, reduce overall physical pain, and can help children overcome speech and emotional disorders. The results from pet therapy can be powerful, providing healing of the mind, body, and soul.
What are three spiritual benefits of pet therapy?
The first is the unconditional love and mercy that these dogs exhibit when they visit someone in need of comfort and encouragement.
Just as Jesus offered his unconditional love to everyone he met without prejudice, these beautiful and gentle therapy dogs reach out with a soulful spirit, warm nose, and wagging tail to calm people in their distress and anxiety. Therapy dogs do not care about political affiliations, age, or race. They have a God-given ability to recognize and respond to someone who is hurting and in need of a gentle and caring touch. Dogs do not judge. They respond with emotion and mercy in that they feel sympathy for people who are hurting, and they find a way to manifest their personal care to comfort those who need it. How many times have you heard about a dog that stayed by a person’s side while they were sick or depressed? They show the “ministry of presence,” just being there to comfort and support the person with unconditional acceptance. They want to please, and that is a special spiritual quality that God gives these amazing and gentle creatures.
The second spiritual gift that pet therapy offers is hope.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (nlt). A person may be carrying a heavy burden of sin, anxiety, depression, fearfulness, pain, or loneliness. A therapy dog can bring rest and peace and love to this person and ease their burdens, offering comfort in troubling situations. They bring light into the darkness and the hope that God will bring them peace. The joy of having the love of that creature near brings hope in all situations as we depend on the love of Jesus to carry us through.
The third spiritual gift is kindness.
If You have ever spent time petting a cute dog and felt an immediate emotional boost, then you have experienced one of the mental and spiritual benefits of pet therapy. For most people, the presence of an animal prompts the body to release serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin. These hormones generate relaxation and a stress-reducing response, according to UCLA Health. It’s my view that these physical benefits are a byproduct of the dog’s natural kindness. With gentle gestures and sweet mannerisms, the dog shows kindness and compassion. As Jesus told us in Ephesians 4:32. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (niv). An example of this kindness is found in our book Finding Grace. On one occasion as we were visiting a VA hospital’s physical therapy unit, we met an elderly man who was blind and disabled, and his initial reaction to us and our therapy dog was fear and anxiety. He was afraid of dogs. However, as we got closer and convinced him to reach out and touch the dog, his countenance changed completely. After a few sessions, he started calling out for the dog and asking when he would come visit again.
Martin Luther said. “The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed if it were not so common. Our Lord God has made his greatest gift the commonest.” I think God has given us a model of walking, breathing grace in these amazing creatures. Like the best of friends, when you are hurting, they are always there—not all knowing, not awkwardly fumbling for words, simply present. Very comforting and reassuring . . . the ministry of presence.
Larry Randolph is the founder and president of Canines for Christ Therapy Dog Ministry. He served in the Coast Guard Reserves; is a graduate of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism and a Billy Graham Rapid Response Chaplain; and is a board-certified crisis response specialist. Larry’s latest book, Finding Grace, will release on October 17, 2023 from Tyndale House Publishers.
Jennifer Marshall Bleakley is the author of Joey, the Pawverbs devotional series, and Project Solomon. She holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling and worked for several years as a grief counselor before discovering her passion for writing. Jennifer’s latest books, Finding Grace (October 2023) and Pawverbs for Kids (September 2023), will release from Tyndale House Publishers.