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Therapy dogs have been used for decades to help people cope with stress.
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They might not know what kind they'll be when they grow up, but they start training as early as puphood.
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Golden retrievers are often therapy pups because of their calm disposition.
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And they're pretty smiley, too.
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Other breeds that are smartypants and sweet in nature, like labs, poodles, and German shepherds, also make friendly recovery companions.
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And while they might not all be purebred, they all have one thing in common: a love of people.
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People all over the world benefit from therapy dogs, from São Paulo, Brazil...
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And it doesn't matter if you're young...
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...or a little bit older.
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Even if you're not sick! More and more colleges bring in therapy dogs to soothe students' nerves during exams.
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Like this corgi on site at a law school during finals week.
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Sometimes they're needed after natural disasters to keep stressed families company.
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And to give rescue workers some love, too.
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They help soldiers during the mobilization and demobilization process.
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They're also called in after violent events like bombings to support survivors or witnesses.
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Or to help mourners cope after a shooting.
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And sometimes they're deployed during special occasions, like a welcome-home ceremony!
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Volunteers dedicate countless months to help train pups to bring happiness to others.
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And get the perk of being able to bring them to their own job, too.
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Here's to you, happiness warriors and volunteers!
