therapy dog
A dog trained to provide comfort and affection to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc. The Japanese term 癒し犬 (iyashi inu) is a synonym.
See also: 癒し犬
Therapy dogs are comforting patients at the hospital.
Visits by therapy dogs are popular with the elderly.
Alternate spelling with a middle dot; less common but still seen.
Loanword from English 'therapy dog'.