New Program
Our dog therapy program brings trained therapy dogs into our housing communities — because sometimes the path forward starts with a wagging tail and a moment of trust.
Evidence-Based Approach
Animal-assisted therapy is not just feel-good — it is backed by decades of clinical research. For people rebuilding their lives after incarceration, homelessness, or health crises, the human-animal bond creates a bridge that traditional therapy alone often cannot.
Interacting with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and lower blood pressure. A single 15-minute session can reduce anxiety by up to 34%.
Source: Gitnux Therapy Dog Statistics, 2026
Therapy dogs break down walls. Residents who struggle to engage with counselors often open up during dog therapy sessions, increasing social interaction by up to 42% in isolated populations.
Source: Zipdo Therapy Dog Research, 2026
Prison dog programs show that participants develop empathy, emotional regulation, and responsibility — skills directly linked to lower reoffending rates and successful reentry.
Source: MDPI Animals, 2020; University of Memphis Prison Pet Partnership
For veterans and trauma survivors in our programs, therapy dogs provide grounding during flashbacks, reduce hyperarousal, and offer non-judgmental companionship that medication alone cannot replicate.
Source: JMIRx Med Systematic Review, 2024
Caring for and interacting with dogs on a schedule gives residents daily purpose. Feeding, walking, and bonding with a therapy dog creates accountability — a key factor in housing retention.
Source: World Metrics Animal Therapy Report, 2026
Dog therapy sessions bring residents together who might otherwise isolate. Group walks, shared care routines, and community events centered around the dogs rebuild social trust in real ways.
Source: PMC/NIH Long-Term Care AAT Studies, 2023
% Anxiety Reduction
in 15-Min Sessions
% More Social Interaction
for Isolated Residents
% Less Procedural Pain
in Clinical Settings
% of US Pet Owners
Use ESAs for Mental Health
Our Approach
Our dog therapy program is integrated directly into daily life at our residences — not an add-on, but part of how we do things.
All therapy dogs and their handlers are registered and certified through nationally recognized organizations. Every team passes temperament testing and health screenings before entering our residences.
Scheduled therapy sessions are woven into each resident's support plan. Group sessions build community. One-on-one time provides space for residents who need quieter connection. Sessions are documented and progress is tracked.
Because HHH is nurse-led, our clinical team coordinates dog therapy alongside mental health services, medication management, and care plans. This is not recreational — it is therapeutic, intentional, and measured.
Targeted Impact
Therapy dogs help veterans with PTSD find grounding, reduce hyperarousal, and rebuild trust in a way that feels safe rather than clinical.
Formerly incarcerated individuals who participate in dog programs show improved emotional regulation, empathy, and accountability — key factors in reducing recidivism.
Residents managing depression, anxiety, or chronic health conditions benefit from the routine, companionship, and measurable stress reduction that dog therapy provides.
People leaving hospitals, treatment centers, or institutional settings find that therapy dogs ease the transition, reducing the isolation and overwhelm of a new environment.
Watch the video above to see our dog therapy program in action. If you think this could help someone you know, we are ready to talk.