How do therapy dogs help domestic abuse survivors receiving support services?

A new study exploring how therapy dogs can create a safe, nonjudgmental environment for survivors of domestic violence in educational, therapeutic and courtroom settings was recently published posthumously on behalf of John R. Chapin, professor emeritus of communications at Penn State Beaver. The research highlights the ways therapy dogs, who are trained to provide emotional support to survivors, can reduce anxiety, foster trust and facilitate positive outcomes.