I want my therapy dog to have a heartbeat
As much as I love the people, there is something about a warm, fluffy dog that leaves me fussing with fur on my clothes and putting his (or her) cold nose near me that warms my heart in a different way. Some women believe diamonds are a girl’s best friend. For ladies like me, get a refund on the jewelry; dogs will win me over every single time.

Do robotic therapy dogs have the same appeal for kids and adults?

In a recent post on Science Daily, robotic therapy dogs have grown more advanced and are a hit at a secondary elementary school. Clearly this isn’t the kind of robotic dog that you would see on “The Jetsons.” (‘Lectronimo was no match for Astro.) Today’s robotic dogs are warmer, friendlier and cuter than the four-legged hunk of metal seen in the early days. But I still cannot wrap my mind around paying $130 for a companion robotic pup when I can just pay for the vaccines and have a real pup to steal my yoga mat and snatch food off my kitchen counter. But for kids, this robotic dog was exciting nonetheless.

“Despite the children reporting they significantly preferred the session with the living dog, overall enjoyment was high and they actually expressed more positive emotions following interaction with the robot,” according to the post. “The more the children attributed mental states and sentience to the dog and robot, the more they enjoyed the sessions.”

While I definitely do see the perks of using interactive robotic animals as an alternative, especially for people with pet allergies, I’m not sold on this idea. Unless you live in a condo or apartment where dogs aren’t allowed, I would think that part of the therapeutic appeal of dog ownership or visits is having to learn the ways of a real dog.

For dog lovers who don’t have the time, money or energy to take care of a breathing, lively pup, I get it. Therapy dogs pop up and disappear as needed. For the purpose of hospitals and school visits, I fully understand why it may be easier to just use a robotic therapy dog. But there are some parts of technology that I simply have no interest in seeing the advancements of.

As an adult who was once a child who was completely unimpressed by puppies and a bit afraid of dogs, I could easily see why a robotic dog would be less trouble. But the responsibility factor of learning how to take care of a dog as a child all the way up to senior years remains undefeated. For me, that is all the therapy I need — be it an hour and a half with my mother or 22 years of my life. And judging from some of the stroke survivors in attendance, they’d rather see a dog with a heartbeat, too.
['Shamontiel L. Vaughn']
['Pets', 'Robots', 'Dogs', 'Technology', 'Therapy Dogs']