Dog therapy Our health editor, Nikki Langer, interviewed three people whose jobs show that dogs can improve human health. Ben Forster, dog trainer Dogs are the most common therapy animal because they are easy to train, and because there are many different sizes. For a hospital visit, for example, it might be important to have a small dog which someone can hold on their lap. The most important thing, though, is the dog's personality: it must be calm and quiet. Most therapy dogs are not puppies – they are usually at least three years and older – and they have to complete a special training course before they can work in hospitals or schools. There are many benefits for the patients and children. Research has shown that regular contact with dogs can improve physical and mental health. Jasmin Hussain, tutor I used to have mental health problems. A few years ago, my doctor recommended getting a dog. She said that walking with a dog and caring for it would help me to recover – and that was true for me. Now Domino comes to the university with me and helps my students. She sits in my office during my classes. When my office door is open, students know they can come in and talk to Domino. My university department has lots of international students and some of them are far away from home. One girl told me that she missed her pet dog more than her parents! If Domino didn't come to work with me, the students would definitely be sad. He's a great dog: very gentle, and he loves it when people stroke him. Thanks to my students, he has also learned instructions in several languages! Andrea Weber, nurse I work at a residential home for elderly men and women. Our youngest resident is 85. A lot of the people who live here have long-term conditions. It can be hard for them to be active. But I know that every Tuesday, they will come to the main living room to see our pet therapist, Pat, and her beautiful dog, Trixie. Trixie is a large dog, with lovely soft fur. When Trixie sits next to you, you want to talk to her and touch her. And while people are waiting to talk to Trixie, they talk to each other. It's a very positive thing.