How to Spread Holiday Cheer with Your Dog

Giving season is upon us! Amidst the twinkling lights, cheerful carols, and festive gatherings, the holidays are a time to give back to others. And what better way to give back to others than spreading holiday cheer with your dog? Whether it’s visiting patients in the hospital or comforting stressed-out travelers at the airport, therapy dogs are sharing smiles and joy. Plus, you will be creating lasting memories with your furry friend.

Here are some more ways you can help spread holiday cheer with your dog.

Therapy Dog Holiday Visits

While the holidays can be joyful, they can also be a difficult time for people who are grieving or isolated from loved ones. That’s why therapy dog holiday visits are so important. By spreading holiday cheer with your dog, you can help bring warmth and hope to those facing hardships. Our ATD dog and handler teams visit a variety of facilities during the holidays including hospitals, nursing homes, airports, schools, and more. We also offer free therapy dog home visits!

Wear Festive Attire

During therapy dog visits, you and your canine can dress up in festive attire to help spread holiday cheer. If your dog is not a fan of costumes, you can try a holiday-themed collar or bandana. Not only does this add a touch of holiday spirit but it can be a fun conversation starter.

Volunteer in Your Community

While therapy dog visits are a great way to volunteer, you can also find other ways to give back during the holiday season. You and your pup may enjoy donating dog food and toys to a local animal shelter or participating in a random act of kindness together. Volunteering can provide a deeper connection with your community and create a ripple effect of thoughtfulness.

Make Tasty Treats

Get creative in the kitchen and whip up some dog-friendly festive treats. You can find some dog-safe recipes online such as gingerbread dog biscuits or pup-friendly eggnog. Give these treats to your furry friend as a holiday gift and make extra to donate to animal shelters or other dogs in the neighborhood.

Capture the Holiday Cheer

The holidays can go by in the blink of an eye. Take some time to document your holiday adventures with your pup while spreading holiday cheer. You can create a holiday card with your dog to send to loved ones or to residents you visit during therapy dog visits. You can also bring your dog to a Santa photo-op for a cute holiday photo. By capturing these moments, you can cherish these memories for years.

How do you spread holiday cheer with your dog? Share your holiday therapy dog photos with us and tag @allianceoftherapydogs #allianceoftherapydogs. If you are making a holiday therapy visit, follow all ATD rules and regulations in the photo and get photo authorization if appropriate!

Happy Howl-idays!