What is a therapy dog?
A therapy dog is a dog trained to bring comfort and joy to humans. They must be able to regulate and have great manners.
The Therapy Dog Teams go to places such as nursing homes, retirement centers, military facilities, and universities during stressful exam weeks. Anywhere they can be comforting.
Therapy dogs must recieve permission to enter a facility. Simply because a dog is a therapy dog does not mean it can go anywhere.
There are also differences between therapy dogs, service dogs, and emotional support animals.
Below is an excellent graphic describing the differences between these classifications.
Source: Service Dog Certifications
Owners of therapy dogs usually register with a therapy dog organization. These organizations offer insurance to their member therapy dog teams.
A great place to look for these is AKC's list of recommended therapy dog organizations. CTDA is one of these organizations.
Therapy dogs are a great way to bring people comfort and support. They are a great way to give back to the community and put people at ease and give them joy. They can make people's days brighter. 🐶