The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Psychosocial and Cognitive Recovery in Stroke Patients

Abstract

Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability globally, affecting approximately 15 million people annually and leaving survivors with significant cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. Animal-assisted therapy has emerged as a promising complementary intervention in stroke rehabilitation, with therapy dogs offering unique opportunities for emotional, social, and physical engagement. This literature review examines the role of therapy dogs in stroke recovery, focusing on psychosocial and cognitive outcomes. A systematic search of PubMed and CINAHL Complete identified five studies meeting eligibility criteria, supplemented by observational data from Cork University Hospital. The included studies demonstrated measurable benefits across multiple recovery domains. Machoiva et al. reported significant improvements in mood and motivation, while Mittly et al.'s systematic review highlighted consistent psychosocial gains. Rondeau et al. documented enhanced gait performance, and Macauley et al. observed improved communication attempts in aphasia patients. However, methodological limitations including small sample sizes, absence of standardized protocols, and variable control group usage constrain the generalizability of findings. Future research should prioritize standardization of intervention protocols, larger cohort studies, and culturally adapted implementations. The CUH observational session underscored the importance of local context in program design, particularly within the Irish healthcare system. This review demonstrates the therapeutic potential of therapy dogs in stroke rehabilitation while highlighting the need for rigorous, context-specific research to support evidence-based implementation.