What is a Therapy Dog?

Therapy dogs play a transformative role in communities. Through companionship, structured visits, and emotional support, these highly trained canines and their handlers enrich the lives of individuals across a variety of clinical and social environments. But what exactly is a therapy dog, and what does it take to become part of the officially recognized AKC Therapy Dog program?

Introduction to Therapy Dogs

A therapy dog is a dog that joins its owner as a volunteer team to visit facilities like hospitals, schools, nursing homes, disaster areas, and similar venues. These dogs, alongside their handlers, provide comfort, affection, and support to people other than their owners. Unlike service dogs, which assist a specific person with disabilities, or emotional support animals, which are prescribed for one individual’s well-being, therapy dogs broaden their impact by reaching many within the community.

The Role and Impact of Therapy Dogs

• Hospitals and Medical Centers: Therapy dogs provide calm, comfort, and motivation to patients recovering from illness, undergoing treatment, or enduring hospitalization.
• Nursing Homes/Classrooms: In long-term care facilities and schools, therapy dogs foster positive social interaction, helping to break social isolation, reduce anxiety, and boost morale.
• Disaster Relief/Community Crisis: These dedicated teams may be called upon in times of crisis to offer stress relief and emotional healing to victims of disasters or emergencies.

Interactions with therapy dogs have been shown to decrease stress, lower blood pressure, support rehabilitation goals, and improve overall emotional well-being for the recipients.

Therapy Dogs vs. Service and Emotional Support Dogs

It is important to note that therapy dogs do not have the same legal access rights as service dogs. Permission to visit public venues is at the discretion of each facility and is coordinated through recognized therapy organizations.

Qualities of a Great Therapy Dog

• Stable Temperament: Therapy dogs must be calm in unfamiliar situations, enjoying new environments without becoming anxious or reactive.
• Friendly and Approachable: A therapy dog should seek and enjoy attention from strangers of all ages and backgrounds.
• Trainability: Consistent, reliable obedience is essential so the dog can respond to handler cues in dynamic and sometimes chaotic environments.
• Comfort with Equipment and Surfaces: Therapy dogs encounter medical devices, unusual flooring, and unpredictable noises; confidence in these situations is key.
• Groomed and Healthy: Cleanliness and good health are required, as therapy dogs interact closely with potentially vulnerable populations.

It should be emphasized that not every dog is suited for therapy work, no matter how loving they may be at home. A successful therapy dog truly loves meeting new people and adapting to their needs.

The AKC Therapy Dog Program

The American Kennel Club Therapy Dog™ program recognizes the invaluable volunteer work of dog-handler teams and offers a structured path for official recognition through titles. These AKC titles are earned by dogs of any breed (including mixed breeds) who consistently visit and support individuals in healthcare or community settings, provided they meet all requirements and are registered with the AKC in some capacity.

AKC Therapy Dog Titles

• AKC Therapy Dog Novice (THDN): 10 completed therapy visits
• AKC Therapy Dog (THD): 50 completed therapy visits
• AKC Therapy Dog Advanced (THDA): 100 completed therapy visits
• AKC Therapy Dog Excellent (THDX): 200 completed therapy visits
• AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD): 400 completed therapy visits

These increasingly prestigious titles celebrate the dedication, reliability, and community spirit embodied by experienced therapy teams.

How to Become an AKC Therapy Dog Team

For owners and dogs eager to make a difference, here is an overview of the path toward AKC Therapy Dog status:

1. Choose and Join a Recognized Therapy Dog Organization
   Begin by having your dog trained and evaluated by a third-party,
   AKC-recognized therapy dog organization. These groups certify that your dog possesses the required temperament and skills for therapy work.
   Note: The AKC does not itself train or certify therapy dogs, but maintains a list of recognized certifying organizations.
2. Register or List Your Dog with the AKC
   Title eligibility requires that your dog has an AKC number. Options include:
   • AKC Registration Number: For purebred dogs with recognized lineage.
   • PAL Number (Purebred Alternative Listing): For purebred dogs ineligible for regular AKC registration, often used for rescues and shelter dogs.
   • Canine Partners Number: For mixed breed or otherwise ineligible purebred dogs.

   Each provides a unique identifier for titling and record keeping.

3. Complete the Required Number of Visits
   • Each visit must be a structured, documented interaction at an approved facility (e.g., hospitals, schools, nursing homes, disaster relief centers).
   • Therapy visits must be recorded with date, location, time, and signed by facility staff or coordinator.

   Visits must meet the criteria and be verified by documentation to count toward titles.

4. Track and Document Your Visits
   Use the official Therapy Dog Record of Visits form, a facility-provided letter on official letterhead detailing the visits, or a certificate or wallet card from a certifying organization. Documentation must always include dates, locations, and authorized signatures for validation.
5. Submit Application for AKC Therapy Dog Title
   Complete the official AKC Therapy Dog Title Application. Include the appropriate documentation and titling fee. Applications are manually reviewed. If all requirements are met, the title is awarded and appears in the AKC database and on official certificates.

Eligibility and Registration

The AKC Therapy Dog program is inclusive. Any dog—purebred or mixed breed—can participate and earn titles, provided they are registered or listed with AKC and have completed the required visits through a recognized therapy organization. Owners can select the most appropriate AKC identification for their dog (registration, PAL, or Canine Partners), ensuring everyone is welcome to contribute regardless of breed or origin.

Requirements for Title Recognition

For AKC Therapy Dog titles to be awarded, these key criteria must be met:

• Certification/Registration: The dog must be certified/registered by an AKC-recognized therapy dog organization.
• Number of Visits: Meet or exceed required minimum number of documented therapy visits for each title.
• Documentation: Each visit must be evidenced by proper logs, certificates, or letters, fully detailing the venue, date, and signature of authorized personnel.
• Handler-Dog Team: The owner-handler and the dog function as a team, volunteering time together.

Benefits of the Program

• Recognition of Dedicated Teamwork: Official AKC titles highlight the consistency, dedication, and impact of volunteers and their dog partners in the community.
• Structured Milestones: The titling system motivates teams to increase service hours and maintain reliable records.
• Community Role Models: Titleholders serve as ambassadors for responsible dog ownership and positive canine interactions, inspiring others to follow their example.
• Celebrating Acts of Kindness: The program provides lasting acknowledgment, both as AKC public records and through formal certificates of achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can mixed breed dogs become therapy dogs and earn AKC Therapy Dog titles?

A: Yes. Mixed breed dogs are fully eligible for AKC Therapy Dog titles when registered through the Canine Partners program. All dogs—regardless of breed—are welcome, provided they meet health, temperament, and program documentation standards.

Q: Does the AKC provide therapy dog training or certification?

A: No. The AKC neither trains nor certifies therapy dogs. Certification and training are handled by recognized therapy dog organizations. The AKC program recognizes and celebrates the achievement of teams already certified, following confirmation of service through documentation.

Q: What facilities count toward therapy dog visit requirements?

A: Acceptable facilities include hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, rehabilitation centers, and approved disaster relief locations. Visits must be planned, documented, and acknowledged by staff to qualify for AKC titling purposes.

Q: How should therapy dog visits be documented?

A: Use the Therapy Dog Record of Visits form, organization-issued certificates or wallet cards, or official facility letters on letterhead confirming the service and signatures from authorized personnel. AKC provides a sample letter and encourages thorough, accurate record keeping for each visit.

Q: What happens if the title application is incomplete or does not meet requirements?

A: If the application is not approved—due to missing documentation, insufficient visits, or other issues—the applicant will be notified and the titling fee refunded, allowing time for corrections or additional visits.

Getting Started as a Therapy Dog Team

Here’s a step-by-step checklist to launch your journey as a therapy dog team:

• Assess if your dog’s temperament is suited for therapy work.
• Contact and enroll with a recognized therapy dog organization for evaluation and training.
• Register or list your dog with the AKC (via Registration, PAL, or Canine Partners as appropriate).
• Set service goals based on the AKC Therapy Dog titles you aspire to earn.
• Keep meticulous records of each visit using the recommended forms.
• Submit your completed application when you reach the milestone for the first (or next) title.

Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Therapy Dogs

From bringing joy to a child learning to read, to comforting a senior in a care facility, therapy dogs offer a unique, invaluable service that uplifts countless lives. Through reliable titling programs and solid documentation, the AKC Therapy Dog program pays tribute to this dedication—encouraging more dog lovers to join, serve, and help build resilient, compassionate communities one visit at a time.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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