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

See Examples For:

therapy animal

As a registered therapy animal, Rusty is allowed on public transport but he has been too nervous to do this, so instead Maria has given him a private mode of transport.

From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026

“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

Could he declare his snakes as a therapy animal?

From Fox News ● Oct. 15, 2021

Navy officials said the pooch was a therapy animal to treat Gilbeau for post-traumatic stress.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 18, 2017