therapy animal

American  

[ther-uh-pee an-uh-muhl] / ˈθɛr ə pi ˌæn ə məl /

noun

1. an animal trained to play a role in a physical or emotional therapeutic treatment plan, as a horse helping a rider develop muscle tone or a dog providing cognitive engagement for nursing home residents.

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Etymology

Origin of therapy animal

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

“It kind of inspires people to connect in a way we haven’t traditionally heard talked about in other therapy animal interventions.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2023

So, in my opinion, they would also work as a therapy animal, perhaps being brought into nursing homes or hospitals.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2023

Alligators are extremely dangerous, wild animals that do not meet the rigorous standards of a therapy animal.

From Washington Post • Sep. 5, 2022

Could he declare his snakes as a therapy animal?

From Fox News • Oct. 15, 2021

Gracie is a registered therapy cat through Pet Partners, a nationwide organization specializing in registering therapy animal teams of nine species, including dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, llamas and alpacas, birds, pigs and rats.

From Washington Times • Feb. 4, 2017