Visiting Dogs

Introduction

Visiting dogs are specially trained dogs that regularly visit social facilities such as nursing homes, children's homes, hospitals, or schools to provide residents and patients with joy, variety, and emotional support. Unlike therapy dogs, which perform targeted therapeutic interventions, visiting dogs focus on social interaction and the well-being of people.

Visiting dog teams consist of a trained dog and its handler, who together conduct regular visits to various facilities. These visits have been proven to have positive effects on the mental and physical health of people who interact with the dogs.

What are Visiting Dogs?

Visiting dogs are dogs that, together with their handlers, regularly visit social facilities to bring joy to people and promote social interactions. They differ from therapy dogs in that they do not perform targeted therapeutic measures, but primarily achieve positive effects through their presence and friendly nature.

Definition and Distinction

Visiting dogs are often confused with therapy dogs, but there are important differences:

Characteristic Features

Visiting dogs are characterized by the following qualities:

• Friendly and calm nature: Visiting dogs must be stress-resistant and feel comfortable in various environments
• Good socialization: They must be able to handle different people, age groups, and situations
• Basic obedience: Reliable response to commands is essential
• Health: Regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations are mandatory
• Patience: Visiting dogs must remain calm even in unusual situations

Areas of Application for Visiting Dogs

Visiting dogs are used in various social facilities where they have positive effects on people's well-being.

Nursing Homes and Senior Residences

In nursing homes, visiting dogs are particularly valuable because they:

• Reduce loneliness: Regular visits create social contacts
• Awaken memories: Many seniors had dogs themselves in the past
• Promote activity: Petting and interacting with the dog promotes movement
• Lift mood: The presence of a dog has an antidepressant effect
• Stimulate communication: Residents talk about the dog

Children's Homes and Youth Welfare Facilities

In children's homes and youth welfare facilities, visiting dogs support:

• Emotional development: Children learn empathy and responsibility
• Trauma processing: Dogs can help process traumatic experiences
• Social skills: Interaction with the dog promotes social abilities
• Self-confidence: Successful interaction with the dog strengthens self-esteem
• Structure and routine: Regular visits give children stability

Schools and Educational Institutions

In schools, visiting dogs are used for:

• Reading support: Children read to dogs, which improves reading ability
• Stress reduction: Before exams or in difficult situations
• Social learning: Children learn respectful interaction with animals
• Concentration promotion: The presence of a dog can increase attention
• Emotional support: Especially for children with special needs

Hospitals and Rehabilitation Facilities

In medical facilities, visiting dogs offer:

• Distraction from pain: Positive distraction during treatment
• Motivation for recovery: Patients look forward to visits
• Emotional support: Especially for long-term patients
• Social interaction: Patients talk about the dog
• Normality in clinic routine: A piece of everyday life in the clinic

Training and Qualification

Requirements for the Dog

Not every dog is suitable as a visiting dog. The most important criteria are:

Temperament traits:

• Calm and balanced temperament
• Friendliness towards people of all age groups
• Stress resistance and adaptability
• No aggressiveness or fearfulness
• Good socialization with people and other dogs

Physical prerequisites:

• Good health and regular veterinary check-ups
• Current vaccinations (rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus)
• Regular deworming
• No contagious diseases
• Well-groomed appearance

Age and experience:

• Minimum age: 12-18 months (depending on breed)
• Basic obedience should already be present
• Initial experiences in various environments
• Not too old dogs (maximum 8-10 years, depending on breed)

Training of the Dog

Training to become a visiting dog includes several stages:

001. Basic Obedience

• Sit, down, stay
• Leash walking
• Recall
• No aggression towards people or other dogs

002. Socialization

• Contact with various people (children, seniors, people with disabilities)
• Accustoming to various environments (nursing homes, schools, hospitals)
• Handling wheelchairs, walkers, and medical equipment
• Reaction to loud noises and unusual situations

003. Special Visiting Dog Training

• Training in real environments
• Accustoming to various smells and sounds
• Training for calm behavior during petting
• Handling unusual movements or sounds from people

004. Examination and Certification

• Temperament test by qualified examiners
• Practical examination in a real environment
• Health check by veterinarian
• Regular re-examinations (annually)

Requirements for the Handler

The handler must also meet certain qualifications:

Personal qualities:

• Empathy and understanding
• Patience and calmness
• Good communication skills
• Sense of responsibility
• Reliability and punctuality

Legal prerequisites:

• Liability insurance for the dog
• Proof of vaccinations and health status of the dog
• Consent from the facility for visits
• Extended criminal record check if necessary (when working with children)

Training:

• Basic training in dog training
• Special training for visiting dog deployments
• First aid knowledge (for humans and dogs)
• Knowledge of Health Safety and infection control
• Regular continuing education

Checklist: Preparation for a Visit

Before each visit, the following points should be checked:

• Dog is healthy and shows no symptoms of illness
• All vaccinations are current
• Dog was thoroughly exercised before the visit
• Emergency contacts are available
• Liability insurance is valid
• Visit protocol is prepared
• Facility has been informed about the visit
• Hygiene items (disinfectant, towels) are available
• Dog is clean and well-groomed
• Handler feels fit and focused

Legal Foundations and Insurance

Liability Insurance

Comprehensive liability insurance is essential for visiting dogs:

• Coverage amount: At least 3 million euros
• Coverage scope: Damages caused by the dog during visits
• Validity area: All deployment locations and situations
• Costs: Approximately 50-150 euros annually (depending on insurer)

Consent Forms

Before the first visit, consent forms must be obtained:

• From the facility: Written approval for visits
• From residents/patients: For adults
• From legal guardians: For minors
• General information: About risks and behavior

Hygiene Regulations

Strict hygiene regulations must be observed:

• Hand disinfection: Before and after each contact
• Dog cleaning: Dog must be clean and well-groomed
• Vaccination protection: Current vaccinations must be proven
• Disease exclusion: Sick dogs may not be deployed
• Documentation: Health status must be documented

Positive Effects of Visiting Dogs

Scientific studies prove the positive effects of visiting dogs:

Psychological Effects

• Reduction of depression: Visiting dogs can alleviate depressive symptoms
• Stress reduction: Lowering cortisol levels when interacting with dogs
• Mood improvement: Increase in serotonin and dopamine
• Reduction of anxiety: Especially in medical facilities
• Increase in self-esteem: Successful interaction strengthens self-confidence

Physical Effects

• Blood pressure reduction: Regular interaction can lower blood pressure
• Pain reduction: Distraction and positive emotions reduce pain perception
• Movement promotion: Petting and interaction promotes light movement
• Improvement of motor skills: Fine motor skills are trained through petting
• Strengthening of the immune system: Positive emotions strengthen defenses

Social Effects

• Promotion of communication: People talk about the dog
• Reduction of loneliness: Regular visits create social contacts
• Sense of community: Shared interest in the dog connects
• Awakening memories: Especially in seniors, positive memories are activated
• Structure in daily life: Regular visits provide stability and routine

Challenges and Risks

Despite the many advantages, there are also challenges:

Possible Risks

• Allergies: Some people are allergic to dog hair
• Fear of dogs: Some people are afraid of dogs
• Hygiene concerns: Especially in medical facilities
• Accidents: Falls or bites (very rare with well-trained dogs)
• Stress for the dog: Overwhelming can lead to problems

Risk Minimization

These risks can be minimized through the following measures:

• Prior inquiry: Ask about allergies and fears
• Respectful distance: People who don't want to interact are not pressured
• Strict hygiene: Hand disinfection and clean dogs
• Qualified training: Only deploy well-trained dogs
• Observation of the dog: Recognize stress signals and react

Best Practices for Visiting Dog Deployments

Before the Visit

• Appointment scheduling: Always arrange in advance
• Preparation: Exercise, feed, and groom the dog
• Materials: Hygiene items, protocol, emergency contacts
• Information: Inform facility about the visit
• Health check: Check dog for symptoms of illness

During the Visit

• Slow start: Let the dog get used to the environment
• Observation: Watch for stress signals in the dog
• Respectful interaction: Don't pressure anyone
• Hygiene: Regularly disinfect hands
• Documentation: Document the visit

After the Visit

• Debriefing: Discuss course with facility
• Protocol: Document the visit
• Dog care: Groom the dog after the visit
• Reflection: Reflect on own experiences
• Planning: Plan next visit

Last update: October 21, 2025