A question that is often asked by Members new to therapy dog work is when is it OK to end a therapy dog visit early? The short answer is always. As volunteers, we feel obligated to fulfill our duties to those we are visiting, but the most important thing to remember on a therapy dog [...]
The old saying, let sleeping dogs lie, is an important message to remember when it comes to therapy dog visits. There are various reasons your dog may be sleeping on a visit: they get comfortable while being pet and take a nap, they are tired and it is time to end the visit, or your [...]
Therapy dogs are often superheroes to those they visit. Through tactile interaction, kind eyes, and friendly presence, these amazing dogs bring comfort to people in places like hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and workplaces. While therapy dogs themselves are often the focus of attention, the emotional connection between the dog and its handler (the person who [...]
The human end of the leash is just as important as the dog when it comes to therapy dog visits. Our job, as the handler, is to keep eyes on our dog at all times so we can be reading how they are feeling. A dog’s feelings can change in a second, at any time. [...]
Why You Should Have a Pet First Aid Kit Having a well-behaved therapy dog means you probably take your dog out into public quite often to train or enjoy their company. While we always hope our dogs will never be injured in public, it is a very real possibility. Being away from home might mean [...]
What are Alliance of Therapy Dogs’ (ATD) Retesting Requirements? ATD requires teams to be retested if they have not made and logged a visit within 3 months of their previous visit. If you have gone over 3 months, but less than 6 months since your last logged visit, you are required to complete the ATD [...]
A Successful Therapy Dog Visit Starts with You! Therapy dog visits can be a great way to brighten someone’s day. The magical effect dogs have on humans is undeniable, but we cannot forget about the other end of the leash. The handler is a big part of a successful therapy dog visit. In order for [...]
Bring Smiles and Joy to These Locations This Season The holidays are usually spent with loved ones by our side. Sometimes those we visit are not fortunate enough to have their loved ones nearby for a variety of reasons. Therapy dog visits during the holidays can be a bright spot in someone’s life. If you’re [...]
Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season with Your Dog The holidays bring lots of smiles and joy this time of year. While you are busy prepping food and parties, sometimes your dog is not your first priority. Did you know that there are some safety concerns for your dog during the holidays, including toxic foods, fire [...]
Training A Rescue Dog To Share Smiles And Joy Adopting a rescue pet is a rewarding experience but training a rescue dog can feel like a daunting next step for you and your new companion. Rescue animals are known to be standoffish and even afraid when entering their new home, which can make the training [...]
