Frequently Asked Questions

This animal is partnered with a human companion to provide healing and comfort to a wide variety of people in a variety of different settings. They are well-trained animals who have passed an examination for temperament and behavior and are registered with an organization. With permission, they can visit hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities, retirement homes, and more.  They do not have ADA protected rights.  

This animal provides emotional support to a person with an emotional or psychological illness. To obtain ESA status, the individual must have the animal prescribed by a licensed mental health professional. They do NOT have the same rights as a service animal & must be granted permission to be in public places.  

These are animals that are trained to do a particular set of tasks for a specific individual with a disability.  They are working animals, and can assist people with visual, hearing, or mobility deficits, PTSD, mental illness, seizures, and more. Facility dogs are a type of service dog that can provide benefits to a variety of people and are able to work full-time in healthcare settings.  Service dogs are protected by the ADA and permitted to be in public places. 

Some ways to get involved with therapy animal programs include becoming a volunteer within a local program and supporting local assessment and training events. Another is to become a therapy animal handler to visit sites with your pet. If you simply would like a therapy animal team to visit your facility, search for local therapy animal organizations and contact them with your request. There are many national programs with local chapters.

Locate a service dog organization that also trains their dogs to be facility dogs. Be prepared to provide them with proof of agreement with the facility you plan to incorporate the dog into. If you are approved, the organization will require you to participate in training with the animal to ensure that you are properly prepared to become a facility dog handler. Canine Companions for Independence provides dogs at no cost to the recipient.  

National Therapy Animal Organizations (Not a complete list)

· Pet Partners https://petpartners.org/ 

· Intermountain Therapy Animals https://therapyanimals.org/resources/ 

· Alliance of Therapy Dogs https://www.therapydogs.com/ 

· American Kennel Club (AKC) https://www.akc.org/ 

· Canine Companions for Independence https://canine.org/  (Can train facility dogs)

· HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response https://www.hopeaacr.org/ 

· Love on a Leash https://www.loveonaleash.org/ 

Yes! 

· Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) https://www.aaaiponline.org/

· Pet Partners https://petpartners.org/learn/ 

· Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) https://www.aaaiponline.org/

· R.E.A.D. Program: https://therapyanimals.org/read/

· American Kennel Club (AKC) Therapy Dog: https://www.akc.org/sports/title-recognition-program/therapy-dog-program/ 

· Goddard AT, Gilmer MJ. The Role and Impact of Animals with Pediatric Patients. Pediatr Nurs. 2015 Mar-Apr;41(2):65-71. PMID: 26292453.