Unlike service dogs that are certified and trained to help people with disabilities like mental illnesses, visual impairments, seizure disorders, etc, therapy dogs aren’t trained to live with a specific handler. You can think of them as volunteers who provide comfort and affection in clinical settings.
To be certified as therapy dogs, these furry friends undergo training that teaches them how to behave calmly and gently around different people and provide the best support to their companions.
This article highlights the best therapy dog trainers across different states.
Therapy Dog Trainers by State
Alabama
- Dogs on Call
- (334) 395-4489
DOC is a leading therapy dog training company with over 50 pet therapy teams. Volunteers and their pets offer comfort in schools, rehabilitation centers, and facilities for people with disabilities. DOC provides two training classes annually and requires teams to undergo annual evaluations to maintain certification.
Arizona
- All 4 Paws Training
- (480) 256-9443
- 3330 South Price Road #106
- Tempe, Arizona 85282
All 4 Paws Training in Arizona provides an extensive therapy dog training program that includes courses like Puppy Obedience, Public Access, Puppy Socialization, and Focus & Engagement. Alongside therapy dog training, they offer various programs, such as service and family dog training.
Arkansas
- Central Arkansas Pet Partners
- 425 W. Capitol Ave.
- Suite 1800
- Little Rock, AR 72201
Pet Partners is a non-profit organization of compassionate volunteers dedicated to performing animal-assisted therapy in hospitals, schools, and various facilities across central Arkansas to help vulnerable individuals.
California
- Pet Prescription Team
- 619-334-1860
- 1920 Dehesa Road
- El Cajon, CA 92019
Pet Prescription Team provides unique therapy dog training classes in a healthcare/assisted care facility. The classes cover various aspects, including meeting and greeting exercises, familiarization with hospital equipment, safe dog handling in healthcare facilities, confined area workspace techniques, and confidence-building for volunteers and their certified dogs.
Colorado
- Go Team Therapy Dogs
- 863-546-8326
- 4164 Austin Bluffs Parkway #212, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Originating during the Waldo Canyon fire, GTTD provided services to evacuees, and since then, over 1000 teams have completed their training program. To enroll, dogs must pass the AKC-approved Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and be at least one year old before attending the class. Their two-day class prepares them for real-life scenarios, including working in assisted living, libraries, airports, and more.
Connecticut
- Heart of Gold Canine
- (203) 490-6604
- 169 Callendar Road
- Watertown, CT 06795
Heart of Gold Canine offers classes providing insights into understanding your dog’s behaviors, trusting your instincts, and providing support during visits. Participants learn to handle unexpected situations, including exposure to sounds. The course includes six group classes, weekly homework, a field trip to a Senior Living Community, and evaluations like the AKC Canine Good Citizen test and Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dog.
Delaware
- Literacy Education Assistance Pups
- PO Box 50 Lewes, DE 19958
Literacy Education Assistance Pups is located in Lewes, and its sole intention is to boost literacy standards for community students through trained therapy canines. This goal is accomplished by employing therapy dog teams as teaching mentors.
District of Columbia
- National Capital Therapy Dogs
- +1 302-585-6283
- P.O. Box 234, Highland, MD 20777
National Capital Therapy Dogs consists of 200 responsible and active volunteer handler-and-pet teams in 4 different regions. All the volunteers undergo assessment and standard-based training.
Florida
- Jeanine’s Professional Dog Training
- (941) 371-5174
- Sarasota, FL
This organization is managed by an independent trainer who offers specialized training for pets and pre-selected puppies to assist patients. But they only accept dogs aged between 18 months to four years.
Georgia
- Comprehensive Pet Therapy
- (404) 236-2150
- Atlanta, GA
This platform is recognized by the New York Times best-selling book Doctor Dogs: How Our Best Friends Are Becoming Our Best Medicine along with People magazine. Comprehensive Pet Therapy offers an affordable hands-on program, enabling you to train your canine under their guidance. They also provide an in-house boarding program.
Idaho
- Valor K9 Academy
- (208) 577-0744
- 226 Winding Ridge Drive,
- Horseshoe Bend, Idaho 83629
Established by Amy Pishner in 2014, Valor K9 Academy is a home-based business that has worked with thousands of dogs in various settings. They offer one-on-one training at your chosen location. They also offer virtual lessons conducted through Zoom, FaceTime, and Facebook.
Illinois
- Assisi Animal Foundation
- (815) 455-9411
- P.O. Box 143 Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0143
Since 1987, AAF has been offering an animal-assisted therapy program to bring joy to residents of nursing and residential disability centers. The non-profit organization also offers educational programs to teach people humane attitudes toward animals and responsible pet guardianship.
Indiana
- Hendricks Regional Health
- (317) 745-4451
- 1000 East Main Street Danville, Indiana 46122
This is a healthcare and nonprofit institution operating in west-central Indiana. Their Paws to Pet Program provides Therapy Dogs International certification, which ensures that dogs can soften the impact of the medical environment, reduce feelings of isolation, and help improve the physiological and psychological well-being of patients.
Iowa
- Deafinitely Dogs!
- (319) 930-DOGS (3647)
- 2802 Lippisch Place SW
- Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
The facility trains therapy dogs to help people in hospitals, funeral homes, schools, and counseling offices. The facility dogs work with their handler in various ways, such as promoting healing, offering comfort, and providing a sense of safety.
Kansas
- Mutt School
- (913) 717-6111
- Salina, Manhattan, and Topeka, KS
Mutt School is a non-profit organization with facilities in Manhattan and Salina. Their CPDT-certified trainers allow pet owners to train their dogs to provide therapy in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, and schools.
Kentucky
- Pawsibilities Unleashed
- 866-411-7297
- 363 Versailles Road, Suite E
- Frankfort, KY 40601
Pawsibilities Unleashed offers insurance coverage, certification, and training for therapy dogs that visit various facilities throughout Kentucky to provide comfort and affection to individuals.
Louisiana
- Louisiana Warriors Unleashed
- (225) 402-2301
- 34905 Spring Trails Drive
- Walker, LA 70785
This facility helps people struggling in clinical settings like hospitals and nursing homes to help them physically and mentally. They also offer service and emotional support training programs.
Maryland
- Wags for Hope
- P.O. Box 1279 Frederick, MD 21702
WFH is a non-profit organization that trains volunteers and pets to bring joy to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. They welcome pet owners willing to offer at least two visits per month.
Massachusetts
- Bright Spot Therapy Dogs
- West Brookfield, MA 01585
- [email protected].
BSTD has trained tons of therapy dog teams. They accept dogs that are well-groomed and non-aggressive, have a good temperament, know basic commands like Sit, Down, Stay and Heel, and are at least one year old and living with the owner for six months.
Michigan
- Therapaws
PO Box 92, Dexter, MI 48130
Therapaws is a nonprofit organization with more than 90 active teams that visit 25+ locations in Washtenaw County and surrounding areas. Their therapy dog teams are certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and visit libraries, schools, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.
Minnesota
- Bark Avenue on Parade
- 4315 Oakdale Ave S Minneapolis MN 55424-1058
BAOP is an independent, non-profit, all-volunteer organization that provides pet-assisted therapy training. Their trained dogs and therapy teams visit healthcare facilities to help people feeling isolated due to illnesses or age.
Missouri
- Pet Therapy of the Ozarks
- [email protected]
Situated in Springfield, Pet Therapy of the Ozarks provides emotional support therapy visits under a 50-mile radius. They send therapy teams to hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, schools, and other facilities. Your dog must pass the manners and temperament evaluation test to qualify.
Nebraska
- Midlands Pet Therapy
- (402) 333-8116
- 1328 S 163rd St, Omaha, NE 68130, USA
Run by a group of pet owners, Midlands Pet Therapy provides emotional support visits in Omaha/Council Bluffs region. A few facilities they visit are Brookstone Meadows, Heritage at Legacy, Pacific Springs Village, and Westgate Assisted Living.
Nevada
- Michael’s Angel Paws
- (702) 658-0148
- 4809 Rush Springs Dr, Las Vegas, NV 8913
MAP started offering a therapy training program in 2014. Today, they have over 250 teams that volunteer in Las Vegas Valley. They accept all domestic dog breeds that are at least a year old. To enroll, your dog has to pass Michael’s Angel Paws Therapy Dog and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (AKC – CGC) tests.
New Hampshire
- Northeast Therapy & Service Dogs
- 781-771-1645
- 72 Bald Hill Road, Newfields, NH 03856
NTSD offers therapy training in Newfields. They offer Daycare, Boarding, and Outreach Dog and Handler Training besides therapy training. They offer packages and also charge on an hourly basis.
New Jersey
- The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs
- (973) 292-3316
- 80 Powder Mill Road Morris Plains, NJ 07950
TBBTD is a non-profit organization that evaluates, tests, trains, and qualifies therapy dog teams. They were founded in 1999 and, since then, have certified 14,000 members and dogs.
New Mexico
- Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers
- [email protected]
Giving high-quality dog therapy for 30+ years, the nonprofit organization collaborates with 40 facilities in the Albuquerque region. They visit hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, assisted living and memory care, rehabilitation centers, emergency dispatch centers, schools and colleges, public libraries, and children’s clinics. Currently, the Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers has multiple dogs and more than 70 + members.
New York
- Paws of NY
- (315) 457-7622
Located in central New York, the nonprofit organization trains volunteers and their pets to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted-living facilities to help improve the patient’s mood, reduce stress, and motivate them to participate in treatment.
North Carolina
- Carolina Canines for Service
- +1 910-362-8181
- 221-1 Old Dairy Rd. Wilmington NC US 28405
The organization offers a 6-week course at the Wilmington, NC facility. They accept dogs at least one year old and CGC certified, know basic commands like Down, Stay, Recall, and Sit, and are free from parasites and diseases.
North Dakota
- Grand Forks Dog Training Club
- 1905 So Wash St, Grand Forks, ND 58201
GFDTC’s therapy dog teams visit schools, senior centers, clubs, and nursing homes to comfort people. To become volunteers, the therapy teams must clear the handling portion of the test, followed by three successful supervised visits.
Ohio
- Buckeye K9
- (614) 800-1931
- 773 Windmiller Dr Suite B
- Pickerington, OH 43147 U.S.A
Lori Morrell, LLC and a Certified Professional Trainer (CPT), started Buckeye K9 after completing an intensive course at the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers in Columbus, Ohio. The organization offers therapy dog training that prepares volunteer teams to help patients in healthcare facilities.
Oklahoma
- Full Circle Obedience
- 405-721-7829
- 2915 W Britton Rd. OKC, OK 73120
Established in 1990, the organization provides a therapy dog program that trains therapy teams to visit schools, libraries, hospitals, and nursing homes. They only enroll one-year-old dogs and clear a temperament evaluation. They also offer AKC Canine Good Citizen, Puppy Class, and Dealing With D.I.N.O.S classes.
Oregon
- Project Canine
Project Canine is a 501c3 non-profit organization providing therapy dog training in Oregon and Washington. Dogs aged one to three years old are required to pass pre-assessment. Additionally, owners of dogs aged three years or older can sign up for the class waitlist and will be notified by email when classes become available.
Pennsylvania
- Comfort Caring Canines Therapy Dogs
- [email protected]
- 1011 Farrell Road, Wyndmoor, PA 19038
Comfort Caring Canines Therapy Dogs is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that trains and sends volunteers with certified animals to comfort people in need. To join, you must be 18, while your dog should be at least one year old and non-aggressive. Your dog will either have to attend standard 6-8 week obedience and therapy dog prep courses or earn Canine Good Citizen certification.
South Carolina
- Myrtle Beach
- 843-360-6033
- 1229 38th Ave N, #376 Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Myrtle Beach offers both service and therapy dog training programs customized to the tasks you want the dog to perform or the therapy work you want to do with your dog. They offer an in-home free evaluation.
Tennessee
- Music City Pet Partners
- [email protected] & [email protected].
- 512 Castlebury CT Franklin, TN 37064
MCPP trains not only dogs but eight other species, including cats, birds, guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, pigs, equines, llamas, and alpacas. They enroll dogs that have lived with the owner for six months and are one year old, house-trained, non-aggressive, and vaccinated.
Texas
- Austin Dog Alliance
- 512-335-7100
- 1321 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park, TX 78613
- [email protected]
Founded in 2006, Austin Dog Alliance tests and trains therapy teams. Their teams are insured by a $1 million per occurrence liability policy. They only accept applicants who have passed a background check. Moreover, they test the dogs every three years to ensure their reliability as they age.
Utah
- Molli Dogs Training
- 801-592-6912
- [email protected]
Molli Dog Training is open to dogs that accept kisses around the head and neck, are comfortable around people of all ages, and know all basic obedience commands in public. They offer training programs in the Utah and Salt Lake County areas. And apart from therapy training, the organization also offers temperament testing, service dog training, emotional support dog training, obedience training, and Canine Good Citizen certification.
Vermont
- Caring Canines Therapy Dogs of Southern Vermont
CCTD consists of 60 therapy dog teams that serve in 30+ facilities. Caring Canines Therapy Dogs of Southern Vermont is recognized by AKC, and they mostly facilitate visits to nursing homes, hospitals, and schools. Their therapy dog teams help reduce patients’ stress, boost morale, and divert their attention from their illness.
Virginia
- High Hopes Dog Training
- (540) 343-3849
- 4108 Electric Road
- Roanoke, VA
High Hopes Dog Training offers a six-week training program that teaches advanced behaviors necessary for therapy teams to interact and help people in various environments. They visit hospitals, rehabs, schools, long-term care facilities, libraries, and more.
Washington State
- Family Dog Online
- (253) 854-9663, [email protected]
- 1509 Central Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032
FDO’s instructors and certified handlers carefully train dogs for therapy at hospitals and nursing homes, bearing in mind the expensive machinery these facilities consist of. They offer dog owners the opportunity to observe their classes before enrolling their dogs, providing a feel of the class so they are satisfied beforehand. They also offer a waitlist if they don’t have classes on schedule.
Wisconsin
- Badger Kennel Club
- +1 608-438-2985
- 5925 Haase Rd, DeForest, WI 53532
Badger Kennel Club is a non-profit organization sanctioned by the American Kennel Club. Their therapy training works on the canine’s body language, methods for working in a therapeutic environment, and stress and calming signals. They also teach your dog to work around medical equipment, approach people in various settings, socialization opportunities, etc.
Wyoming
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs
- 307-432-0272
- 1919 Morrie Ave.
- Cheyenne, WY 82001
Alliance of Therapy Dogs is an international registry of certified therapy dog teams. They provide testing, registration, certification, support, and insurance to individuals who choose to provide animal-assisted therapy with their dogs. Their unique testing process ensures all dogs are well-behaved and comfortable meeting new people.
Find the Best Therapy Dog Training Near Me
Finding the best therapy dog trainer is a chance for you and your furry companion to do good in the world. These caring professionals have the expertise and patience to help your dog develop the necessary skills to bring comfort and joy to those in need. Whether it’s for a specific therapeutic purpose or simply to enhance your pet’s obedience and socialization, a well-trained therapy dog can affect lives in a profoundly positive way.