Volunteer with your Dog
Partner with Paws
Volunteer with Your Best Friend
Volunteering with your dog is a unique and rewarding experience that not only strengthens your bond but also brings immense joy and comfort to those in need. Our therapy dogs visit a variety of places, including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and community centers, where they provide emotional support and brighten the days of countless individuals.
Why Volunteer with Your Dog?
Volunteering with your dog is a rewarding experience that strengthens the connection between you and your furry friend while making a positive impact on your community. Here’s why you should consider joining our volunteer team
Strengthen the bond with your dog
Volunteering with your dog enhances your connection, creating shared experiences that deepen your bond and build trust while making a positive impact together.
Make a positive impact
Your dog’s presence can bring comfort and joy to those in need, whether in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, or community events.
Bring joy and comfort
Many people experience significant emotional benefits from interacting with a well-trained dog, and you and your dog can be the source of that comfort.
Steps to Become a Therapy Dog Handler with The Dog Alliance
Follow these simple steps to join The Dog Alliance as a certified therapy dog handler, bringing comfort and joy to those in need while volunteering with your dog.
Build Essential Skills
Before enrolling in Canine Good Citizen classes, your dog needs to master basic commands like sit, down, come, stay, and loose leash walking. The ideal therapy dog seeks out attention from everyone and can focus on you even when other dogs are nearby. If your dog needs these skills, explore our dog training programs.
Evaluation Prerequisites
A successful therapy dog enjoys being pet and hugged by a wide variety of humans and is comfortable in new environments. Therapy dogs need to be able to focus on their handlers and clients, even if other dogs are nearby. Prior to entering our workshop to learn about the evaluation, we require you and your dog to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Community or Urban evaluation.
Enroll in Therapy Dog Evaluation Workshop
The Therapy Dog Evaluation Workshop teaches you what to expect during the evaluation. You and your dog will learn how the evaluation is scored and how to prepare. You will have the opportunity to do a practice run of the evaluation. You'll find our therapy dog training classes listed further down the page.
Enroll in the Therapy Team Policies and Procedures Workshop
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to register as a volunteer, understand expected behaviors in various settings, HIPAA regulations, and opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. You'll also cover veterinarian requirements for your dog and the fees needed to test and join our therapy dog teams.
Pass the Therapy Dog Team Evaluation
After completing the therapy dog training, all teams are evaluated every three years to ensure both dog and handler are ready to volunteer safely. Once you pass the evaluation, you officially join the Therapy Dog Group. Our support staff is here to help ensure everything runs smoothly, so you can fully enjoy your time volunteering.
Disclaimer
Puppies younger than 16 weeks should start with the Puppy Training class. Puppies between 16 weeks and 7 months should start with the Puppy Maners. Dogs older than 6 months should start with the Beginner Dog Obedience & Manners class.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Volunteering Program
Join our Therapy Dog Program today and bring joy to those in need.
