Healing Dogs
Describes the psychological healing and support provided by service dogs, especially companion golden retrievers. Included are true stories and a psychology contest named "You vs Your Dog".
http://www.healinghelp.org/

Pacific Animal Therapy Society
Pet visitations improve the wellbeing of the sick, elderly, lonely and shut-ins. P.A.T.S pets come in all shapes and sizes. While most are dogs, P.A.T.S. therapy pets include cats, rabbits, birds, goats, even a llama, a miniature horse, and a snake.
http://www.island.net/~patspets

My Therapy Puppy
A Belgian Tervuren puppy named Shadow visits his senior citizen friends weekly. Photographs, stories, links and animal assisted therapy resources.
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/3810/

Service Dogs for Victims of Assault
Non-profit organization which uses dogs as therapeutic aids for victims of assault. Includes information about the dogs used and their training.
http://www.dogsaver.org/sdva/

Rottweilers Can Be Friends, Therapy Dogs, Too
An entertaining article about a rescued Rottweiler with a new and rewarding job. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
http://www.post-gazette.com/pets/19990217pets.asp

Mastiffs Offer Therapeutic Companionship
The story of four giant mastiffs and their new-found roles as therapy dogs. [Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, TX]
http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/022597/mastiffs.htm

Therapy Dogs - Getting Started
Advice, contacts, and links. Selection and training of the animal for pet therapy work.
http://www.amchessieclub.org/TherapyDog.html

Discovery Dogs
Program whose mission is to promote self-determination and greater independence by providing individualized assistance dog training programs for people with disabilities.
http://www.discoverydogs.org/

North Star Foundation
A nonprofit that breeds, trains, and places golden retrievers with children who have developmental disabilities, autism, physical challenges, or emotional problems.
http://www.northstardogs.com/

Therapy Dog Team Training Program
Lyn Richards talks about the requirements for a good therapy dog. From her DogLogic.com site.
http://www.doglogic.com/therapy.htm

Dog Visitation Program Overview, Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati
The Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati Dog Visitation program recruits, screens, and trains teams of volunteer dogs and their handlers to visit pediatric patients.
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/volunteer/dog/

Alternative Solutions in Long Term Care
Animal Assisted and Pet Therapy Web Site for long term care. Information on how to set up a pet therapy clubs with children Also government regulations, nursing home information, links and resources to get you started in pet therapy.
http://www.activitytherapy.com/pet.htm

Animal-Assisted Therapy & Activities
A guide to resources about pet therapy, courses, and the links between animal abuse, domestic violence and child abuse.
http://www.animaltherapy.net

Helping Hounds Ltd.
These greyhound owners share their hounds with the community through health care facily visits, research, education, and art. Animals can improve the quality of life at all levels of society. Memphis, TN.
http://www.helpinghounds.org/

Therapy Dogs International
A national registrar. Provides qualified handlers and their therapy dogs for visits. Training and testing programs.
http://www.tdi-dog.org

Denver Pet Partners
Training and evaluations for people and their pets interested in animal-assisted activities and therapy. Affiliated of Delta Society.
http://www.denverpetpartners.org

Nationwide Therapy Dog Listings and More
Articles about training visiting dogs and the benefits of pet therapy. Links to many groups un the U.S. and Canada and other resources.
http://www.landofpuregold.com/rxb.htm

People and Animal Learning Services
PALS, Inc. is a therapeutic riding program for children and adults with disabilities.
http://www.palstherapy.org

Project Pooch at MacLaren Correctional Facility
When incarcerated youth offenders train homeless dogs, both get a new leash on life. In Woodburn, Oregon.
http://www.pooch.org

Paws With A Purpose
Non-profit pet therapy organization in Asheville North Carolina provides dogs to schools, hospitals, and retirement homes.
http://www.pawswithapurpose.org

Dog B.O.N.E.S.
A network of Massachusetts therapy dog volunteers. How to get involved. Getting your dog certified. Links to sites in Massachusetts seeking therapy dog visits.
http://www.therapydog.info

Personal Ponies Ltd.
This non-profit provides miniature shetland ponies to terminally ill or disabled children. Active in most U.S. states.
http://www.personalponies.org/

Toledo K9 MASH
Members visit hospitals and nursing homes giving comfort and companionship to children and adults. Use of therapy dogs, contact, calendar, and pictures. Affiliate of Therapy Dogs International
http://www.geocities.com/toledok9mash/

Tails of Joy - Animal Assisted Therapy
Provides therapeutic benefit to challenged people through the use of animals. Support and training in pet therapy. Connecticut. Volunteers certified by Delta Society Pet Partners or Therapy Dogs International.
http://www.tailsofjoy.org

The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs
Non-profit organization evaluates, tests, trains, qualifies, and supports therapy dogs for the purpose of giving loving and empathic support in a variety of facilities where emotional service dogs are indispensable. Qualified members receive benefits including primary accident and liability insurance within the U.S. and Canada, therapy dog equipment, post card mailings, and quarterly newsletters.
http://www.golden-dogs.org

Bark Avenue on Parade - Therapy Dogs
Provides certification and training to dog and handler teams as well as continuing education regarding animal assisted therapy. A non-profit charitable organization in St Paul - Minneapolis, Minnesota.
http://www.barkavenue.org/

Therapy Dogs Inc. - Helping People Nationwide
A national registrar. Helps dog owners use their pets for therapy work. Qualifications of therapy dogs. How to have a safe visit.
http://www.therapydogs.com/

animaLINK
Michigan non-profit that works to improve lives through beneficial human-animal interactions. Program areas include therapeutic, companion, and working animal services.
http://www.animalink.com

San Francisco's SPCA Animal Assisted Therapy
Brings the healing presence of animals to people in health care facilities citywide. Volunteers take SF SPCA Program animals or their own pets on the visits: dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, even cats.
http://www.sfspca.org/aat/index.shtml

Sirius Healing of Seattle
An animal assisted therapy and animal assisted activity program in Seattle, Washington. Therapy dog training to Delta Society Pet Partners standards.
http://www.siriushealing.com/

Companion Animal Association of Arizona
Their social pet therapy program includes training and qualification for volunteers and their animals. Phoenix, Arizona.
http://www.caaainc.org/socialpettherapy.htm

Teamwork Dog Training
A therapy dog class in Raleigh, North Carolina. Description of the Pet Partners Skills Test.
http://www.dogtrainingraleighnc.net/therapydog.htm

Visiting Pet Program
A New Orleans non-profit. Hospital and nursing home visits by a variety of mix-breed and pedigreed dogs and cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. All animals have been temperament tested during Pet and Handler Evaluation Days.
http://www.visitingpetprogram.org/

Helping Paws Animal Assisted Activities Program
Offers classes on Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities. Learn the skills to qualify for certification and to have successful human interactions while doing AAT and AAA work.
http://www.helpingpaws.org/AAAProgram.htm

TherapyPets - California
Non-profit promotes animal assisted therapy. Benefits both the volunteer and those visited. Oakland, California.
http://www.therapypets.org/

Therapet Animal Assisted Therapy Foundation
Non-profit to facilitate use of animals in healing and rehabilitation of acute and chronically ill individuals. Education of volunteers, animals, and health care professionals.
http://www.therapet.org/

Visiting Dogs
An article by the owner of Jake on doing therapy dog visits.
http://www.workingdogs.com/visiting_dogs.htm

Happy Tails Pet Therapy
Paws that Heal. What they do and how to volunteer. Atlanta, Georgia.
http://www.happytailspets.org/

Dreamworkers, Inc.
Helps dog and cat owners in the Atlanta area to volunteer their pets for animal assisted therapy and activity. Also helps find service dog volunteers.
http://www.dogsaver.org/dreamworkers/

Teton County PAL
People Animal Love is a pet partner program in Jackson, Wyoming. Volunteers visit others to provide them with the benefits of contact with an animal.
http://www.dogsaver.org/tetoncountypal/

Dr. Paws - Michigan
How to get your dog certified for pet therapy. Testing and activities in several Michigan cities.
http://www.drpaws.org/

Comfort Caring Canines Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Caring volunteers share the love of their canine campanions with others. Visits seniors, children, and hospitals in southeastern PA, NJ, DE, and MD area. How to socialize a puppy for later therapy dog work.
http://www.comfortcaringcanines.org/

Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services
Delivering the love and affection of volunteers and their pets to enhance lives and reopen closed emotional doors of people with special needs. Where they go. How to help. San Jose, CA.
http://www.furryfriends.org/

Hand-In-Paw
Provides registered Delta Society Pet Partner teams as therapeutic tools in medical, social service, and educational settings. An Alabama non-profit.
http://www.handinpaw.org/

Healing Paws and Claws
Promotes human health using the human-animal relationship and then the human-natural world relationship. An affiliate of Delta Society in Blackstone, Virginia.
http://www.healingpawsandclaws.org/

Pets on Wheels
A pet visitation therapy program serving some 16 health care centers in Scottsdale, AZ. The benefits of visits. How to start a similar program. Some members teach pet care to second graders.
http://www.petsonwheelsscottsdale.com/

Pet Express - Pet Therapy Club
Kids, pets, and seniors. Pet Therapy Express is a complete instruction manual on how to set up an intergenerational and pet therapy program in a seniors facility. Purchase training guide and video.
http://www.activitytherapy.com/petexp.htm

Pets on Wheels, Fairfax
Volunteers and their pets provide pet therapy to improve the quality of life of area nursing home residents. Fairfax, Virginia.
http://www.fpow.org/

Pets on Wheels of Prince George's County, Maryland
A non-profit organization dedicated to providing friendly pet visitation for residents and senior citizens of nursing care facilities. Events, volunteers, and donations.
http://www.pgpetsonwheels.org

Pets on Wheels, Charles County
Arranges for volunteers and their pets to visit residents of nursing homes and provide pet facility therapy. Emphasis on patients with impaired cognitive abilities. Charles County, Maryland.
http://www.ccpetsonwheels.com/

Pets On Wheels, Delmarva
Volunteer teams of pet and handler visit nursing homes, assisted living homes, homes for the handicapped, and other facilities. On some days, a visit may be the only contact from the outside world for a resident.
http://www.petsonwheels-delmarva.org/

National Capital Therapy Dogs, Inc.
The Caring Canines: offers Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) services, primarily to health care facilities in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas. How to volunteer. How to have them visit a facility.
http://www.nctdinc.org/

Caring Canines: Boston Pet Therapy Program
Typical visit to nursing home is four to six dogs in a community room. Other programs include a crises response team. Pictures of the animals and friends. Visiting Therapy Dogs, Inc.
http://www.caringcanines.org/

Oklahoma Dog Programs
Combines three sites. American Dog Obedience: school for therapy dogs and handlers. Reaching People Through Dogs: for educators, health care professionals, and volunteers around the US. Petworks in Progress: non-profit group of therapy dog volunteers in central Oklahoma.
http://www.dogprograms.com

Caring Critters
People and their animals participate in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) activities. Over 200 volunteers visit over 20 facilities in the greater Houston area. A non-profit organization.
http://www.caringcritters.org/introduction.htm

Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs
Animal Assisted Therapy dog organization in Dallas metro area. Membership information and where they visit. Affiliated with Therapy Dogs, Inc.
http://www.hotthdogs.org/

Potential Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy for Children with Special Needs
For children with special needs, the ability to interact with a dog, cat, or other furry friend can have a very positive impact upon their quality of life.
http://www.kidneeds.com/diagnostic_categories/articles/animalassistedtherapy.htm

Utah Animal-Assisted Therapy Association
Non-profit organization based in Salt Lake City dedicated to bringing comfort, love, and hope to those in need through the miracle of the human-animal bond.
http://www.uaata.com/

Prison Pet Partnership Program
Inmates at a correctional facility for women learn how to train, groom, and board dogs within the prison walls. A feeling of satisfaction directly contributes to the mental and physical wellness of all who are involved.
http://members.tripod.com/~prisonp/

Pets Helping People
Non-profit organization prepares people to use their pets in visits to nursing homes, schools, and half-way houses. Certifies animals in Canine Good Citizen, Feline Good Citizen, and Therapy Dog International. Serves Southeastern Wisconsin. Based in New Berlin which is just west of Milwaukee.
http://www.petshelpingpeople.org/

What is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Crossroads Group Home uses an Animal Assisted Therapy program stressing the benefits of animals and birds of many varieties to its residents.
http://www.crossroadsgrouphome.com/CGHAATWhat.html

AATProfessionals Listserve
Practice Animal Assisted Therapy, or for persons who intend to use AAT after completing their degree programs, exams, licensures.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aatprofessionals/

Pet Therapy - Honoring Our Elders
An active Pet Therapy program that brings dogs and young people to visit residents of nursing homes in the Sarasota, Venice, and Brandenton area of Florida.
http://www.pet-therapy.org/home.html

Paws & Hearts
Enrich the lives of seniors and children with one-on-one attention that only a four-legged healer can provide." In Palm Desert, CA.
http://www.pawsandhearts.org/

Jackie's List
A directory of Animal Assisted Therapy programs and services. Site is in Fargo, North Dakota, but the list covers all of the United States.
http://www.therapypets.com/

Nose-to-Nose
Book about a therapy dog in the United States, as well as general information about this form of training and service.
http://www.nose-to-nose.com/

High Desert Obedience Club "Pet Pals"
Pictures of their therapy dogs in action. Training and testing available. In Antelope Valley and Lancaster, California.
http://www.highdesertobedienceclub.org/pages/therapy.htm

DOGTORS Animal-Assisted Therapy
Training and certification of Animal-Assisted Therapy teams in the Miami Valley area of Ohio. Home of DOGTORS University and DOGTORS On-Call Emergency Services.
http://dogtors.com

Central Ohio Good Shepherds
COGS: Therapy dogs visit institutions, facilities, and other locations in the Columbus Metropolitan area. A TDI chapter. Photo gallery and a list of facilities.
http://www.centralohiogoodshepherds.com/

Blind Students Love These Dog Days
Garnet, a 75 pound shepherd, helps students at Perkins School for the Blind. She adjusts her level of play to a child's ability. The dog has protected some students by sensing an oncoming seizure. [The Boston Globe]
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2004/03/06/blind_students_love_these_dog_days/

Pet Therapy, Pets and Stress Relief
Therapeutic use of pets for a wide variety of patients. Animals provide comfort and bring out our nurturing instinct. They make us feel safe and unconditionally accepted. We can just be ourselves.
http://www.holistic-online.com/stress/stress_pet-therapy.htm

Therapy Dogs, Singapore
Provides pet-assisted therapy (PAT) to meet the physical and emotional needs of the underprivileged. Find mission statement, links, articles, and information on recent visits.
http://www.tdspore.org

Inmates Get Therapy from Pets
Program at Autry State Prison, Georgia. Visits by dogs relieve depression and teach responsibility. Almost 400 of the 1500 inmates participate. [WALB-TV]
http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=1950800&nav=5kZQO2IM

Pawsitive Connection
Promotes animal assisted healthcare in Arkansas. Describes a variety of training and testing. Other activities include helping sick people care for their pets.
http://www.geocities.com/pawsitiveconnection/

Therapy Dogs of St. John's Newfoundland
Animal-assisted therapy is accepted as a therapeutic intervention which promotes positive and beneficial health effects. Description of their program and pictures of their animals.
http://ca.geocities.com/doggy.west@nl.rogers.com/

ERIC: Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling and School Settings
The use of animals in clinical psychology, including goals, methods, and results.
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=Animal-Assisted+Therapy+in+Counseling+and+School+Settings&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=title&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900000b801b5931

Charleston Counseling Support Services
Focus is on training, information, and certification for pet therapy. Discusses other "expressive therapies." Offers regular continuing education workshops. Charleston, South Carolina.
http://www.geocities.com/animalassistedtherapy/

Lincoln Pet Partners
Pet therapy animals and handlers certified by Delta Society visit health care facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska. How to participate.
http://www.geocities.com/lincolnpetpartners/

Visits to the Elderly from Active Therapy Visiting Dogs
The loneliness of the terminally ill and elderly is relieved by visits from approved dogs. The health benefits of pets. Over 4500 volunteers in the United Kingdom.
http://www.globalideasbank.org/site/bank/idea.php?ideaId=1212

Dogs' Warm Muzzle and Loving Lick Put Patients at Ease
General Tso Lee, a Jack Russell-Shih Tzu mix, is a pet therapy dog at Vassar Brothers and St Francis Hospitals. Picture shows "The General" visiting a cancer patient. Article explains what visiting dogs do and how they are tested to qualify. [Poughkeepsie Journal Online]
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060122/NEWS01/601220332

Delta Society Therapy Animals
A national registrar. Training and screening for people who want to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities with their animals.
http://www.deltasociety.org/

Westmoreland County Obedience Training Club - Pet Therapy
The club schedules dogs to visit many nursing homes, several hospitals, and other organizations every month. Their therapy dogs have passed a Therapy Dogs International version of the AKC's Canine Good Citizen test. Southwestern Pennsylvania.
http://www.wcotc-dogs.org/therapy.html

585 Area Cat Handicap Training
Cats and kittens trained for handicapped persons. Companion kittens selected according to personality for a client's needs.
http://flamepointcat.com/therapy.htm

Fidos for Freedom, Inc.
Fidos for Freedom is a volunteer assistance dog training organization in Baltimore. Includes information about volunteering, and service, hearing and therapy dogs.
http://www.fidosforfreedom.org/

PAWS - Pets Are Wonderful Support
Companions for disabled and others in need of the stimulation that pets can provide. Offers program description and contacts. Orange County, CA.
http://www.orangecountyspca.org/PAWS.htm

Therapy Dogs
Links to therapy dogs, animal-assisted therapy, and animal-assisted services, from Dog-Play.
http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/Therapy/therapyl.html

Pals on Paws
A Minnesota chapter of (TDI) Therapy Dogs International in the northwest suburbs of the Twin Cities. Trained dogs and partners cheer patients and staff at local hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and other facilities.
http://palsonpaws.org

Dog Play
Taking pets, especially dogs, visiting people in health care facilities; therapy ranges from mental and physical stimulation; petting the dogs, formal supervised therapy addressing a particular situation.
http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/Therapy/therapy.html

Dog-Play: Joining a Therapy Dog Group
Finding someone to certify your dog is often a frustrating experience. The evaluations offered by the national organizations aren't always as frequent and convenient as you might like.
http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/Therapy/join.html

Angel on a Leash
Pet therapy program of Westminster Kennel Club in New York City. Involvement of dogs in treatment makes physical therapy fun for young patients.
http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2007/show/news/angels_100206.html

Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta
Training, support, and coordination of volunteers and companion animals for animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activity. Offers visitation in healthcare settings, activity programs for clients with disabilities and literacy program for children.
http://www.pettherapysociety.com

Thera-Paws
El Paso Chapter of Therapy Dogs International. Volunteers with their TDI Certified dogs provide emotional support, education, and other aid to various groups.
http://www.chromadane.com/tdiEP.htm

Prescription Pet Program
RxPets dog assisted therapy started in 1984 by Children's Hospital and Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society. Almost half the inpatients at The Children's Hospital are offered a dog visit every day.
http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/give/volunteer/pet.aspx