According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), animal assisted therapy or animal-assisted activities use companion animals such as dogs to provide opportunities for motivation, education, or recreation to improve a person’s quality of life. In such therapies, these animals are an integral part of the treatment process and meant to improve the physical, social, [...]
Some of the most unsung heroes in our world are animals. Therapy animals provide their human friends with multiple benefits at all kinds of facilities — schools, nursing homes, hospitals, etc. After tragedies such as natural disasters and school shootings, a therapy animal is there to comfort children as well as adults who have been [...]
Animals play a major role in the human experience. We interact with them in nature, eat them for food, and (best of all!) keep them as pets. We learn so much from animals, and most of us may not realize how much they actually help us. Not only are they a form of sustenance and [...]
Dogs have earned the title of man’s best friend for a number of reasons over the centuries. Their pleasing and loving nature, predisposition to cuddling, and intense sense of loyalty make them the kind of companion that stays by your side through thick and thin. Another unique attribute of dogs is that they show a [...]
As the premier therapy dog organization in North America, we know how much you and your dog look forward to summer. Summer ushers in the sun, the fun, and the things that can make your dog miserable - some of which are dangers. In this article, we will discuss common summer health dangers for dogs [...]
Looking for something special and exciting to do this summer? Take a few weeks to get your dog certified and registered to become a therapy dog with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). By volunteering your time, you will be making the lives of others exponentially more full. You will be sharing your sweet dog [...]
At the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, the premier therapy dog organization in North America, we know how hard it is to cope with the loss of your dog. No matter how many times you experience the loss of a dog, it is difficult every time. Coping with the death of a beloved dog is never [...]
As a therapy dog organization in the United States, the Alliance of Therapy Dogs is often asked by dog owners why they are being stalked by their dog. As anyone with a dog already knows, dogs are often inclined to follow their owners everywhere they go and to watch their every move, but there is [...]
Dog training, like many other professions, goes through cycles of fads and changes. Most dog owners now know that swatting a dog on the behind with a newspaper or rubbing his nose in a bathroom accident which he deposited sometime during the day is ineffective to house train. When it comes to behavior modification, like [...]
As the renowned therapy dog organization in the United States, The Alliance of Therapy Dogs knows that if you are a dog owner, you are most probably including your pup in the holiday festivities. And, as a member of the family, your dog likely receive gifts this holiday season. Not all gifts are dog-friendly and, in [...]
