A question that is often asked by Members new to therapy dog work is when is it OK to end a therapy dog visit early? The short answer is always. As volunteers, we feel obligated to fulfill our duties to those we are visiting, but the most important thing to remember on a therapy dog [...]
The old saying, let sleeping dogs lie, is an important message to remember when it comes to therapy dog visits. There are various reasons your dog may be sleeping on a visit: they get comfortable while being pet and take a nap, they are tired and it is time to end the visit, or your [...]
Therapy dogs are often superheroes to those they visit. Through tactile interaction, kind eyes, and friendly presence, these amazing dogs bring comfort to people in places like hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and workplaces. While therapy dogs themselves are often the focus of attention, the emotional connection between the dog and its handler (the person who [...]
The human end of the leash is just as important as the dog when it comes to therapy dog visits. Our job, as the handler, is to keep eyes on our dog at all times so we can be reading how they are feeling. A dog’s feelings can change in a second, at any time. [...]
Being Active in Alliance of Therapy Dogs Without a Dog Most Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) Members begin their membership with a dog by their side. However, this is not always the case and there may come a time when a Member may need to retire their dog. Whether they started as an ATD Member [...]
Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) has an exceptional registry of committed, loyal Handlers who follow through on their commitments and ATD applauds each and every one of you. But sometimes a facility or an event falls short in some way, making our visits difficult. What to do? Start with a conversation with your contact person. [...]
A Successful Therapy Dog Visit Starts with You! Therapy dog visits can be a great way to brighten someone’s day. The magical effect dogs have on humans is undeniable, but we cannot forget about the other end of the leash. The handler is a big part of a successful therapy dog visit. In order for [...]
Why did you want to bring therapy dogs into your facility? This training command is a service member's first stop after boot camp, so they are often missing home and working to adjust to this new lifestyle. With the high stress environment they are in, one of our goals is to provide our service members [...]
Volunteer In Retirement When you retire, the world seems full of possibilities. You can spend more time with family, travel the world, and even volunteer in retirement. Volunteering can be a way to help you connect with your community and help discover your life’s purpose - which yes, you can still do at an older [...]
How To Advocate For Your Dog As therapy dog handlers, our canine team members play an essential role in sharing smiles and joy. Though amongst the comfort and support therapy dogs provide, it’s important to focus on their safety as well. Follow our strategies to advocate for your dog to help create a safe and [...]
