What is a comfort dog?

A comfort dog is meant to help people recover cognitively and even sometimes physically, but is not necessarily a trained service animal. Comfort dogs may help keep people calm or bring them joy, but they are not always qualified to complete helping tasks.

Comfort or therapy dogs usually do not assist just one person; instead, they are commonly found in hospitals, nursing homes and mental help facilities. They sometimes even visit college campuses to help students deal with their anxieties. Unlike service dogs, comfort dogs are not protected by law to enter public buildings, though some companies do allow comfort dogs.