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Get ready to celebrate the amazing animals who bring comfort and joy to those in need on National Therapy Animal Day on April 30! This special day was first recognized in 1992 by the American Veterinary Medical Association to honor the important role of therapy animals in providing emotional support and healing. These incredible animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and even llamas, make a huge impact on people's lives by offering unconditional love and companionship. So let's take a moment to appreciate these furry heroes and all they do for us!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Early Use of Therapy Animals</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the 1800s, Florence Nightingale documented the use of small pets contributing to the recovery of mentally ill patients.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1919</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Animal-Assisted Therapy in World War I</div><div class='timeline-text'>During World War I, animals were used to comfort wounded soldiers in hospitals, marking one of the first large scale uses of therapy animals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1976</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of Delta Society</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Delta Society, now known as Pet Partners, was founded to research the effects of animals on human health and well-being.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition by The American Medical Association</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Medical Association recognized pet therapy as beneficial and a legitimate field of medicinal treatment.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1992</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National Therapy Animal Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Veterinary Medical Association recognized April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day, celebrating the important role these animals play in emotional support and healing.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expansion of Therapy Animal Types</div><div class='timeline-text'>The types of animals used in therapy expanded to include not only dogs and cats, but also horses, llamas, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even birds.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer with therapy animals</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend National Therapy Animal Day giving back by volunteering at a local organization that provides therapy animals to those in need. You could assist with animal training, visit hospitals or nursing homes with the animals, or help with fundraising events.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a therapy animal party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family and celebrate National Therapy Animal Day by hosting a party where therapy animals are the guests of honor. You could have a petting zoo, organize animal-themed games and activities, and raise awareness about the benefits of therapy animals.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share your own story</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you or someone you know has been positively impacted by a therapy animal, share your story on social media using #NationalTherapyAnimalDay. This is a great way to spread awareness about the important role these animals play in people's lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a therapy animal for a walk</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you have your own therapy animal, take them for a walk on National Therapy Animal Day to show them some extra love and appreciation. You could also invite friends and family to join you and make it a group activity.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to a therapy animal organization</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Consider making a donation to a therapy animal organization in honor of National Therapy Animal Day. This will help support their efforts in providing animals to those in need of emotional support and companionship.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the amazing work of therapy animals</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Therapy Animal Day is a day to honor and recognize all the hard work and love that therapy animals provide to those in need. These special animals bring joy, comfort, and healing to countless people every day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness for animal-assisted therapy</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Many people may not be aware of the benefits of animal-assisted therapy or how it can positively impact individuals with various physical, emotional, or mental health needs. National Therapy Animal Day sheds light on this valuable form of therapy and its importance in our communities.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a reminder of the unconditional love from animals</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Therapy animals show us what true unconditional love looks like - they don't judge, discriminate, or hold grudges. They simply offer their love and support without expecting anything in return. National Therapy Animal Day is a great reminder of the special bond between animals and humans.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Therapy animals can lower blood pressure</h3><p class='facts-content'>The act of petting a dog or cat releases serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin - all hormones that can play a part in elevating moods. As a result, you may feel calmer and have a decrease in blood pressure.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are minimum age requirements for therapy animals</h3><p class='facts-content'>Potential therapy animals need to be old enough to have naturally passed the rambunctious puppy period before they can enroll in a training program. For dogs, this typically means they need to be at least a year old.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Not every pet is cut out to be a therapy animal</h3><p class='facts-content'>Dogs and cats commonly serve as therapy animals, but not all of them are suited for the work. A therapy animal must be reliably calm and patient, even in stressful environments, and express a fundamental friendliness toward strangers.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Therapy animals help increase social interactions</h3><p class='facts-content'>In care facilities such as retirement homes and hospitals, having a therapy animal visit can lead to increased socialization and rich dialogue among the residents or patients.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Therapy animals can aid in physical rehabilitation</h3><p class='facts-content'>In some physical rehab scenarios, therapy animals are used to assist in patients' treatment. Interactions with a therapy animal can help improve motor skills, balance, and hand-eye coordination.</p></div></div>
National Therapy Animal Day is celebrated on April 30 every year. In 2024 National Therapy Animal Day will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Apr 30
Sunday
2024
Apr 30
Tuesday
2025
Apr 30
Wednesday
2026
Apr 30
Thursday
2027
Apr 30
Friday
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