Business Details
18 Years
experience
Therapy Dogs United: Enhancing Lives Through Canine Therapy
Therapy Dogs United was founded in 2008 with a mission to enhance lives through canine therapy. Our organization operates nationwide in the United States and Canada, offering research-based programs that leverage the unique bond between humans and dogs. We specialize in deploying certified therapy dog teams to support individuals facing physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges across diverse settings including hospitals, schools, and senior living communities. Our volunteer-driven model ensures services remain free to recipients, funded entirely through donations, grants, and membership dues.With over 15 years of experience, we have developed specialized programs like Tutors with a Tail for literacy support and Cole's Canines for bereavement care. Our team of dedicated handlers and therapy dogs works hand-in-paw with medical professionals to deliver measurable benefits including reduced anxiety, improved motor skills, and enhanced emotional stability. We maintain rigorous certification standards for therapy dog teams while continuously expanding our reach to underserved populations.
Services
Companion Dogs
Skilled Support Dogs
Animal-Assisted Therapy
At-Risk Families Program
Senior Smiles
Medical Dogs Program
Tutors with a Tail
Courthouse Comfort Dogs
Dog Bite Prevention
Santa Paws for Seniors
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- 15+ years of experience in animal-assisted therapy programs
- Nationwide service availability across the United States and Canada
- Research-based programs with measurable therapeutic outcomes
- Volunteer-driven model ensuring free services for recipients
- Specialized programs addressing diverse therapeutic needs
Associations and certifications
- 501(c)(3) public charity
Services
Companion Dogs
Our Companion Dogs program provides emotional support through certified therapy dogs that offer comfort and companionship. These calm, well-behaved dogs help facilitate therapeutic healing for individuals experiencing loneliness, depression, or emotional distress. The program benefits patients in hospitals, residents in senior living facilities, and individuals in mental health facilities by creating positive interactions that improve mood and social engagement.
Skilled Support Dogs
Skilled Support Dogs are highly-trained canines that assist individuals with disabilities or special needs. These dogs provide physical support and emotional comfort while working with handlers to improve quality of life. The program focuses on enhancing independence and mobility for children, adults, and seniors through customized canine partnerships that address specific therapeutic requirements.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Our Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) program integrates certified therapy dogs into physical and occupational therapy sessions. These dogs work alongside medical professionals to help patients recover from injuries, strokes, or trauma. The program enhances rehabilitation outcomes by improving patients' motivation, range of motion, balance, and confidence through structured canine interactions.
Tutors with a Tail
Tutors with a Tail is a literacy program that pairs children with therapy dogs to improve reading skills. Children read aloud to non-judgmental canine listeners in schools, libraries, and bookstores across the US and Canada. This innovative approach builds confidence, enhances reading ability, and fosters a positive relationship with reading through comforting animal interactions.
Senior Smiles
The Senior Smiles program delivers therapeutic benefits to older adults through regular therapy dog visits. These interactions help reduce feelings of isolation, stimulate cognitive function, and improve emotional well-being for seniors in living communities and nursing homes. Certified therapy dogs provide companionship that enhances quality of life and promotes social engagement among elderly populations.
Questions
What services does Therapy Dogs United provide?
We offer animal-assisted therapy programs including Companion Dogs, Skilled Support Dogs, Tutors with a Tail literacy program, Senior Smiles for elderly care, and specialized services for at-risk families and medical patients.
How can I request a therapy dog visit?
Complete our online Dog Request Form to schedule a visit for your school, workplace, or organization. Our team will coordinate the details for certified therapy dog teams to visit your location.
Are your services free of charge?
Yes, we never charge fees for our services. Therapy Dogs United operates solely on donations, grants, and membership dues to ensure our therapeutic programs remain accessible to all who need them.
How do I become a therapy dog handler?
Contact us to learn about our certification process. We provide training and evaluation for dog-handler teams interested in volunteering for our therapeutic visitation programs across North America.
Where are your services available?
Our programs operate throughout the United States and Canada, with certified therapy dog teams making visits to schools, hospitals, senior living facilities, and other approved locations.
