Alliance of Therapy Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 (originally as Therapy Dogs Incorporated) and renamed in 2015. We are a volunteer-driven organization, supported by a small staff based in Cheyenne, WY. Today, more than 20,000 volunteers across the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Island Territories and U.S. military bases across the world share smiles and joy with their therapy dogs. You can learn more about our impact in our Annual Impact Report.
Unlike many organizations, we don’t focus heavily on fundraising appeals—our Member dues cover operations. Donations we receive go directly toward enhancing our programs, funding $20,000 in annual scholarships, and supporting volunteer education. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference and helps us continue our mission of spreading smiles and joy—always free of charge—to those who need it most.
The easiest way to donate is to click on the blue “DONATE” button in the upper right-hand corner of our website. The Donate button will give you the option to:
You are also welcome to donate by mailing a check or money order to:
Alliance of Therapy Dogs
P.O. Box 20227
Cheyenne, WY 82003
* ATD will place all donations received into the general fund unless otherwise specified by the donor.
Alliance of Therapy Dogs consciously keeps its focus on its mission to provide testing, certification, registration, support and insurance for Members who volunteer with their dogs in animal-assisted activities. As an organization, we try not to spend too much of our time or resources fundraising, as we never want individuals to feel ATD is more about the money than the volunteer work our Members do in their communities. At the same time, the organization needs to be responsible with its donor dollars and invest in the future. With those goals in mind, in 2022, the ATD Board of Directors approved and established an endowment to ensure that ATD will have the foundation and funds to continue to support its volunteers for another 35 plus years across our vast service area of the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Island Territories and U.S. military bases across the world.
This endowment is set up to accept donations from all over the world and in various forms, from cash and securities to real estate. Our partner, the Wyoming Community Foundation, helps us navigate donations from a variety of sources. The Wyoming Community Foundation has a 30-year track record of helping Wyoming nonprofits plan and invest in their futures.
Endowments are designed to protect and grow a principal over time. The ATD Board of Directors made an initial investment of $20,000. Each year, a portion of the income from the fund is distributed to ATD for programmatic and operational support. Over the years, the distribution will grow, providing an additional revenue stream for the organization and helping to diversify our funding sources.
Alliance of Therapy Dogs was honored to be contacted by our Member, Tara, who wished to donate in memory of her beloved therapy dog, Juno, after Juno crossed the rainbow bridge. When our team shared details about the ATD endowment, Tara felt it was a meaningful way to honor Juno’s legacy—more lasting than a one-time gift. She has continued to contribute generously, playing a vital role in the early growth and success of the endowment fund.
