Dog therapy, a form of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), is a psychotherapeutic technique that believes in and utilizes the connection between humans and animals to support and heal people with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, etc
As per research, dogs and horses are the most commonly used therapy animals, but other animals like cats and birds can also be used for therapy. Like any other therapy, AAT is goal-directed and is performed under a trained therapist. This article explores dog therapy providers in the city of Bangalore.
Are Dogs Good For Your Mental Health?
You may have heard of the saying, ‘A dog is a man’s best friend.’.This may well be true, as per research. Many research studies suggest that interacting with dogs can be helpful in therapy and outside of therapy-related situations. Let’s look at some benefits of interacting with dogs.
-
- Research published in 2018 suggests that owning a pet is beneficial for those with mental health conditions
- Dogs can offer unconditional support, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness. They also increase dopamine and oxytocin levels, leading to increased feelings of happiness. A study conducted in 2021 during the pandemic found that people with pets experienced higher levels of well-being
- Playing with dogs can reduce anxiety and stress while also being a form of physical exercise
Thus, dogs can be beneficial for both physical and mental health, making them ideal companions for therapeutic settings as well.
Dog Therapy In Bangalore
As dog therapy is a relatively new approach to therapy, only one centre provides dog therapy services in Bangalore. Let’s look at the same
-
Animal Angels Foundation
The Animal Angels Foundation is an NGO providing dog therapy services across multiple cities in India. They have designed human-animal interactive therapy activities with the help of trained therapy dogs over the last 18 years.
While they primarily operate in Maharashtra, they have a care team in Bangalore that provides dog therapy services primarily to corporate offices. The dogs are accompanied by trained volunteers, who have been known to comfort employees through play and cuddling.
Link: https://animalangels.org.in/who-we-are/our-teams/
Dog-Friendly Cafes In Bangalore
While there are limited dog therapy providers in Bangalore, you can always visit dog-friendly cafes and places to interact with furry angels. As mentioned earlier, playing or interacting with dogs outside of therapy settings may not be the same as therapy, but it has its benefits. Let’s look at a few Dog-friendly cafes in Bangalore
-
Wag Ville
Wag Ville is primarily a daycare and boarding centre for animals based in the Jakkur area of Bangalore. However, they also have a pet-friendly cafe where you can enjoy a bite of snacks while interacting with their in-house dogs as well as the dogs of other pet owners. If you love dogs, Wagville is certainly worth a visit.
Link: https://www.wag-ville.com/index.php/mackennas-smoked-bbq-cafe/
-
Therapup Dog Cafe
Located in Whitefield, Therapup is a must-visit for dog lovers. The cafe’s name is a combination of the words therapy and pup, which suggests their strong faith in the healing power of dogs. They have many resident dogs available to play and interact with at all times. They are also known to offer amazing food at reasonable prices.
Link: https://therpup.com/whitefield/
-
Snoopy Paws
Located in the Yarranpanhalli region of Bangalore, Snoopy Paws is another place spread across a huge area where you can interact with 5 to 6 in-house dogs while enjoying snacks on the side.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/snoopypawscafe/?hl=en
Disclaimer:
It is important to note that the above information is based on our research, and we do not have any association or personal experience with the above-mentioned organizations and places. Thus, it is advisable to conduct your own research before visiting any place or organisation.
References:
- Brooks, H. L., Rushton, K., Lovell, K., Bee, P., Walker, L., Grant, L., & Rogers, A. (2018). The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence. BMC Psychiatry, 18(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1613-2
- How Dogs Can Offer a Unique Form of Mental Health Therapy. (n.d.). Verywell Mind. Retrieved January 27, 2025, from https://www.verywellmind.com/therapy-dogs-benefits-2615438
- Pet Therapy | Definition and Patient Education. (2013, October 21). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/pet-therapy
