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Become a Volunteer Tester/Observer

Helping Others to Become Members of Alliance of Therapy Dogs

Three tester/observers smiling at the camera with their therapy dogs.
A well-behaved Terrier therapy dog sitting with crossed legs while looking at the camera.

Become a Volunteer Tester/Observer

Requirements

Minimum Age

18 or Older

Member Status

Minimum of 6 months

What You'll Do

If you enjoy sharing the joy of pet therapy, consider becoming a volunteer Tester/Observer (T/O) with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. T/Os help new teams through the certification process and play a key role in expanding our mission. They must know and follow all ATD Rules, communicate them clearly, and interact with others in a respectful and supportive manner.

The primary purpose of the Tester/Observer (T/O) role is to assess the skills of teams seeking certification and coach both prospective and current Members. The T/O provides constructive and encouraging feedback that helps teams (both the handler and the dog) improve their skills and confidence in providing animal-assisted activities or therapy.

Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) has the following expectations of its T/Os:

  • Abide by the ATD and T/O Code of Ethics.
  • Be a role model and follow all current ATD rules and guidelines as an example to handlers and prospective Members.
  • Review the Member Handbook and Tester/Observer Handbook yearly and incorporate any changes into their practices.
  • Follow current Certification Guidelines as outlined in the Tester/ Observer Handbook.
  • Coach prospective and existing Members on following all current ATD rules. Do not criticize them. Instead, inform them so they understand why ATD has these rules and guidelines and give the prospective or existing team the opportunity to make changes. If coaching is ignored, contact the ATD Office for guidance.

Who Makes a Good Volunteer T/O?

  • A Member of ATD for at least 6 months
  • Courteous, professional and patient
  • Comfortable in handling matters such as reporting or disciplining a team
  • Experience with teaching, training, or working with dogs

If you’re ready to become a T/O, please contact our office for more information.

Contact Us to Get Started

Some Things to Consider

Rules and Etiquette for our T/Os
  • Being a volunteer Tester/Observer (T/O) is a privilege granted by the ATD Board of Directors. ATD reserves the right to revoke or not to renew the status of any T/O not complying with the ATD Rules and Regulations and/or these volunteer Tester/Observer Guidelines.
  • A T/O must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
  • T/Os are expected to test and observe all breeds and mixed breeds without prejudice.
  • To maintain active T/O status, each T/O must complete the annual T/O Review.
  • T/Os are not allowed to charge fees for testing or observing prospective members for ATD.
  • A T/O may not conduct the ATD Certification Test exclusively for a local group or facility.
  • A T/O is required to take and return calls and/or emails from prospective members to arrange for testing.
  • A T/O shall not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, gender, creed, sexual orientation or national origin by refusing to test any person.
  • A T/O must offer to test prospective teams within 3 months of request.

Medical Benefit for T/O's

ATD offers a supplementary medical benefit for Tester/Observers (T/Os) and their test dogs, provided the dog is owned or handled by the T/O and registered with ATD. This benefit covers up to $5,000 per incident for injuries sustained during testing or observing, after primary insurance or pet insurance has been applied. Any costs beyond that amount are the T/O’s responsibility. The following criteria must be met to qualify.

See Benefit Criteria

Have some questions?

If you are interested in becoming a T/O but have some questions or concerns, please contact us. We are happy to help!

Contact Us

Help Us Grow

Lead and Support the Mission of ATD

Join the Board!

Help Alliance of Therapy Dogs grow even further. If you’re a T/O and you would like to get more involved in helping ATD, then you could serve on our Board of Directors. If you’re interested, please contact our headquarters for an application.

Contact Us

Become a Supporting Member

Become a supporting member! The $20.00 fee per year you pay in support of ATD will entitle you to receive our award-winning bi-annual newsmagazine, a member handbook, and all member communications. Contact us to learn more.

Contact Us

Tester/Observer

Medical Benefit Criteria

  • The T/O must be a member in good standing, current on dues and renewal requirements including having passed the current year’s T/O review. Renewals are due by January 1 or July 1 of each year. If the T/O has not timely paid their dues and an incident occurs after the due date, then the T/O will not be eligible for the benefit.
  • The T/O and test dog must be performing the test or observation at the time of the incident. The T/O cannot be consulting, evaluating, advising or socializing with the team prior to or after testing.
  • The ATD T/O and Test Guidelines must be strictly adhered to during the test or observation. There can be nothing implemented by the T/O that is NOT on the ATD test. Example: The T/O is not eligible for benefits if s/he is hugging the dog, pulling the dog’s tail or stumbling into the handler to evaluate the dog’s reaction.
  • An incident report must be completed with all pertinent details and contact information of witnesses and submitted to the ATD corporate office. The request for payment of this benefit must be accompanied by proof of medical or veterinary expenses outstanding after being submitted to the T/O’s primary insurer. If the T/O has paid any of the medical expenses, veterinary bills or co-pays on their own, then receipts of payment must be included.
  • Notice of a potential request for benefits must be submitted to the ATD corporate office within seven calendar days of the incident and will be investigated and processed by the T/O committee. If the committee approves payment of benefit, the benefit will be paid either directly to the provider or to the T/O if the T/O has included receipts.

Examples of damages that are NOT covered by this benefit:

  • Injuries sustained by the T/O’s own negligence (such as slipping, falling, or twisting an ankle or a knee).
  • Injuries suffered by the test dog if the test dog is at fault, meaning causing the incident.
  • Lost wages or damage to or loss of property.
  • Pain, suffering or mental anguish.
  • Any psychological or mental health treatment resulting from alleged trauma suffered during a test or observation