2. This “Super Mutt,” Joca travels all the way to Brazil to help children in need

3. Mia, the library pooch, assists children who struggle to learn how to read

4. After the Boston Marathon bombing, these two lovable retrievers, Luther and Ruthie, comforted the community in the hospital

5. …and on the streets

6. At some universities and colleges, therapy dogs help relieve stress for students who had to leave their beloved pets at home

7. They even get to play on campus with them

8. The Welcome Home Dogs Organization meets soldiers as they return home and also serve as PTSD aids

9. The bond between these two is unmistakable

10. Therapy dogs help fill in that emotional gap when other parts of us are taken away

11. Zoe brings love and wet kisses to soldiers stationed directly in Afghanistan

12. Anne-Belle, a lovable bulldog, helps seniors and those battling addiction issues

13. The Langley Air force base adores Molly and her cuddling company

14. This pooch is part of Fidos for Freedom, a non-profit in Maryland that offers dog therapy services to anyone who needs it within a 75-mile radius

15. You never know when someone needs the quiet care and attention of a loyal dog

16. Lacey struts about the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base hospital with plenty of love and tail wags

17. This Puerto Rican Siberian Husky Melody is a small celebrity in local children’s hospitals

18. Rackley, the goldendoodle, travels all over the south to offer her love and kisses

19. She is the very definition of a gentle giant

20. You don’t have to be afraid of the dentist when you have two adorable Yorkies, Beau and KJ to help you through

21. This golden retriever Hogan inspired Katie, a girl born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, to offer a rare smile of appreciation

22. Xander the pug may be blind, but he has a sixth sense to know when people are sad and need comforting

23. Spending weeks at Ground Zero, therapy dogs Tikva and Sophie comforted hundreds of people who needed the love and care…

24. …even if it was just a quick scratch on the head to relieve some stress

25. After the Sandy Hook shooting, therapy dogs were brought in to comfort the smallest witnesses

26. They provided comfort in ways that words cannot

27. They even got some children to laugh

28. Kobe is seen here at his retirement party. He worked for ten years as a therapy dog at the Berwyn school

29. Red likes to comfort those in retirement homes who simply want a little bit of company to pass the time

There are no real words for describing the comfort and peace that therapy dogs can give. For someone who is struggling or lonely, a visit from one of these spectacular four-pawed friends can make a wonderful difference.

The post 29 Pictures That Reveal The Awesome Comforting Power Of Therapy Dogs appeared first on Barnorama.

Stacey Morrison, the photographer behind this beautiful photo session with Smiley, had this to say about him; “he bumps into things a lot. And as I quickly learned, when he’s running towards you, he doesn’t know when to stop! But otherwise he gets along just fine. In fact, as he’s going about his doggy business — sniffing, listening, frolicking, nuzzling — you forget that he has a disability.”

According to Morrison, Smiley’s owner, a professional dog trainer named Joanne, “says it’s important that he explores his surroundings on his own, using his own instincts, without people hovering over him or cringing every time he bumps into something.“

Now he even works as a licensed therapy dog for mentally ill and disabled patients

“Smiley likes to introduce himself to everyone. How could you not fall in love with this face?”

Some of his patients never smile except for when Smiley visits

“Smiley is completely in tune with Joanne. From the sound of her footsteps to the tone in her voice — her cues let him know if he is safe or if there is an obstacle in his way. ”

The post Born Without Eyes, Smiley Becomes Therapy Dog appeared first on Barnorama.

Dutchess is a blind therapy dog who works with individuals with autism. She visits classrooms and becomes part of a child’s reading class, assisting with speech goals or other academic endeavors.

The post Dutchess The Blind Therapy Dog appeared first on Barnorama.

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