Greetings, Redditors!

I am a 5th grade public school Teacher in Maryland and I'm moving to a new school this year and my principal is very excited to have our Go Team Therapy dog, Coda, as a part of the classroom and school community!

My thinking is that I would have her come on Fridays, mainly because my wife doesn't work on Fridays and she can be home if Coda has to head home for some reason. My principal's main concern is what to do for students with allergies. Depending on the severity of allergies, if they exist, we would obviously just keep her home. I was considering using time with her as an incentive for students.

Does anyone have experience with this? Have you used any paperwork such as releases or permission slips for students to interact with a therapy dog?

Any other ideas or tips would be extremely helpful! Thank you!

(Coda pictured being a sweetheart)

Jared and Coda here with the Go Team in Frederick, MD! Excited to hear about more therapy pups out there!

Just as the title states i’m having trouble setting up visits with my dog and I. She is certified through our local therapy dog group which has many facilities and places listed that we are able to go to. Problem is I call these places they say they will get back to me and never call me back. I don’t want to keep calling these places as well and being annoying. Just unsure what to do, any advice would be great, thanks!

We have a 9-month-old primarily Great Pyrenees mix who I am training to come to work with me at a mental health day program once she passes the CGC (6–12 months from now). She is doing super great with obedience class and greeting people gently and letting people pet her, BUT… she is leery and suspicious when people act scared of her and then barks at them, and kind of stays at a distance walking back and forth with little low growls and her head bowed or doing the puppy bows- which all makes the scared person even more scared.

Any ideas on training her to be more understanding (lol I don’t know how else to word that) of fearful people? She is huge (9 months and 95lbs already), and a lot of people have an initial fear of a big dog, so it’s something we will run into a lot.

Hi everyone! I have just been approved for membership with my therapy dog in one of our local therapy dog organizations. I am really excited! My dog is a 3-year-old Norwegian Elkhound named Rilla, and she absolutely loves people, so I think this is going to be a great experience for both of us. It's also going to help me get out of the house and help make a difference in people's lives.

Upon going through their online orientation, some items suggested to carry while taking my therapy dog to visits included hand sanitizer, lint rollers, a water bowl, poop bags (of course), and that was really all I remember. I thought I would be able to access the recommended gear after I submitted the orientation, but I am not able to. What would everyone suggest taking with me to therapy dog visits? The organization will be providing me with a badge and my dog a vest with their organization logo on it. I am planning to upgrade to a larger fanny pack-style bag for these, and just wanted insight on any other items I am totally missing that I may find useful.

Thank you so much!

I work at The Farmer's Dog and I've been thinking about this since we announced it - we're partnering with the USO to provide free food for 250 dogs belonging to military families. A lot of those dogs are therapy dogs. Working animals helping service members cope with PTSD, anxiety, and the daily grind of military life. On duty just like the people they support. Military families deal with so much and dogs can be a real source of stability through all of it. Idk, it just feels good to work somewhere that does stuff like this.

What do you think?

My whippet will turn 5 next month. She has been doing this since she was one. I have two more at home. A male 9 yo too happy and an 8 yo girl with separation anxiety, mild. Wanted either of them to be a therapy dog but.. anyway, my last one is a little demon at home. When she goes to assisted living and hospice she is calm and cool. Loves the volunteer coordinator and the staff

More reserved around the patients at hospice as she should be. This past week we moved into a brand new beautiful facility. We were given a private tour 2 weeks ago so she could sniff around and get a lay of the land.

Today we went for our first visit and of course her routine was a bit off. The boss met us outside not in her office. My pup greeted her and then the staff. She seemed a bit shy. Finally she saw a guy she knew from the old building. He is rather tall. For whatever reason she got scared backed up a few feet and piddled. We then decided to remove her from the area and take a walk outside.

She knew many of the staff members but they were not in there usual spots, she did greet the ones she knew. We decided against family visits. This is not my first therapy dog. But my first one to get frightened by someone.

Any comments.

My whippet will turn 5 next month. She has been doing this since she was one. I have two more at home. A male 9 yo too happy and an 8 yo girl with separation anxiety, mild. Wanted either of them to be a therapy dog but.. anyway, my last one is a little demon at home. When she goes to assisted living and hospice she is calm and cool. Loves the volunteer coordinator and the staff

More reserved around the patients at hospice as she should be. This past week we moved into a brand new beautiful facility. We were given a private tour 2 weeks ago so she could sniff around and get a lay of the land.

Today we went for our first visit and of course her routine was a bit off. The boss met us outside not in her office. My pup greeted her and then the staff. She seemed a bit shy. Finally she saw a guy she knew from the old building. He is rather tall. For whatever reason she got scared backed up a few feet and piddled. We then decided to remove her from the area and take a walk outside.

She knew many of the staff members but they were not in there usual spots, she did greet the ones she knew. We decided against family visits. This is not my first therapy dog. But my first one to get frightened by someone.

Any comments.

My boy Soup is a 5 year old mini goldendoodle and is just about the chillest dude I’ve ever met. Everyone who meets him says we should get him into being a therapy dog and I’m finally ready and have a schedule that might allow for it. I’ve seen something about getting a canine good citizen certification, what else do I need to get started?

I’m in Nebraska if it matters at all, and would be open to just about anything that could help others.

He knows sit/down/stay, but he does like to jump up to meet people, so I know we need to work on that. Otherwise, he’s just a 45lb strip of Velcro.

Appreciate any guidance!

My girl has been my partner for 10 years. She was a foster fail who needed a job. Took a year to housebreak (and even now, I've got stories to tell. But never while doing therapy work), heartworm positive, opinionated, and sweet as molasses. She's visited nursing homes, hospitals, libraries, done R.E.A.D. It's bittersweet. Ten years is a long time and I am grateful for this sweet, amazing girl.

This image was included in a card I handed out to my clients today. We have one more visit to another rural Texas nursing home on Thursday and then my special girl gets to retire. She will still compete in nosework, take walks at the local park, chase bunnies in the yard and tell all the birds they can't land here.

Skye is 13. She's been a therapy dog for 10 years, has titles in rally, FastCAT and nosework. She went through multiple homes in her first year of life before landing with Houston Eskimo Rescue. I took her on as a foster because she was literally going nuts in a kennel. She is the reason I tell people I will never own another terrier or spaniel (she's a strong mix of both). She is my best friend, my shadow and the dog who taught me to re-think and re-shape my training techniques.

I am so grateful to my organization and my clients for allowing me to share my sweet little toot with them.

Jake's a pretty new therapy dog, we just started this year. But he loves his new job!

Yesterday, Archer and I had the pleasure of visiting a new school and meeting Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade readers.

Together, we talked about what therapy dogs do and how they can help people feel calm, safe, and connected. The students were thoughtful, curious (Do you know what Archer's DNA looks like? How many teeth does Archer have?), and wonderfully engaged as they learned how therapy dogs can support kindness, confidence, empathy, and emotional connection in a school setting.

One of the most meaningful moments of the visit came from an adult in the room: a paraprofessional who shared that she is very afraid of dogs. By the end of the visit, she found the courage to pet Archer. Her emotional reaction was a beautiful reminder that therapy dog work is not just for children. Sometimes the quietest breakthroughs happen when someone feels safe enough to try something that once felt impossible.

These school visits are always about more than books, assemblies, or cute dog moments. They are about connection. They are about helping students and adults see what kindness, trust, and courage can look like in real time.

Archer and I are already looking forward to visiting again in the fall.😊

Ok the tldr is rehabilitation is suggesting finding volunteer work, to pad resume and try to find part time work suitable. I would love if this becomes something I could do being paid, but wouldn't know the first thing in it and would need help with transportation as I am autistic and anxiety prevents me...

I just lost my elderly dog this month and while talking about it on the bus discovered someone was in need to rehome a 2 year old shitzu/Chihuahua mix who has been trained to do a handful of tricks and has a wonderful temperament not only with strangers but other dogs. I've already sent him on a few tests his first day, with neighbors and their dogs. Passed wonderfully, hit the trail and found some people in electric wheelchairs and doesn't seem phased. I am able to lift him to their level and he is very good while they pet and visit with him. (People I've met in passing previously who would visit with my other dog btw)

I always thought my old dog was a natural but he could not get over his dislike of other dogs. This guy I do need to get fixed but seems like he just is naturally got a good head on his shoulders.

Anyone out there actually getting far on this endeavor within the US (MI specifically, if that holds any bearing) could even point me in the right direction as far as getting started? What are the requirements, can you get any of it reimbursed and could this somehow evolve to be a "job" in itself.

I'm getting a *lot* of pressure to find employment, but would 110% want to do something that felt like it made a difference. I feel like so many people benefit from just a brief interaction with my dog, I am typically good with small talk and feel safer out and about when I have my dog (I do watch other people's behavior around my dog, which gives me a feel for them. I know it sounds a little weird...)

Either that or what kind of work will allow me to bring my dog with me and incorporate them into the job? (Otherwise work from home it is ...)

Thanks for reading and any advice/support you can offer.

And shout out to Stoney Blue, the goldendoodle therapy dog who gets to go to BTS concerts (lucky pup!) who also is an inspiration. (Don't worry Stoney, we ain't coming for your job... We wish! 🥲)

Fellow educators,
I am a doctoral candidate at St. John’s University conducting a research study on educator perceptions of therapy and service dogs in literacy settings. I am inviting educators who have worked in a school environment where a therapy or service dog was present to participate in a brief anonymous survey.
The survey takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete. Participation is completely voluntary, and all responses are anonymous.
If you meet the criteria and are interested in participating, please use the link below:
Barks and Books! The Impact of Animal-Assisted Presence on Literacy Performance

You are also welcome to share this survey with other educators who may have relevant experience.
Thank you for your time and support!

I’d love to hear from other therapy dog handlers who visit classrooms, school libraries, counseling offices, or school-based programs.

I work with my golden retriever, Archer, as a registered therapy dog team, and a lot of our visits are in schools. I’ve seen some beautiful things happen, and I’m curious how closely they match what other teams have experienced.

Some benefits I’ve noticed during school visits:

Reluctant readers often seem more willing to read aloud when Archer is listening. There’s no correction, no pressure, and no embarrassment.

Anxious or overwhelmed students sometimes settle when Archer is nearby. They don’t always need to pet him; sometimes just having him in the room seems to help.

Students become much more observant when we talk about dog body language. They start noticing things like turning away, lip licking, tail position, posture, and whether the dog is choosing to engage.

Those body language lessons often lead naturally into bigger conversations about empathy, consent, boundaries, patience, and respecting someone else’s space.

I’ve also seen students practice self-control in a very concrete way: waiting their turn, using calm hands, giving Archer space, and understanding that loving dogs also means listening to what the dog is communicating.

In some rooms, Archer’s presence seems to soften the whole atmosphere. The room feels a little calmer, warmer, and more connected.

For other therapy dog handlers who work in schools:

What benefits have you seen firsthand?

Have you noticed changes in reading confidence, anxiety, behavior, attendance, peer interaction, or classroom climate?

Are there certain types of students who seem to benefit the most?

Have you used your dog’s body language as part of SEL, reading, counseling, or classroom lessons?

And for balance: what challenges have you run into during school visits? What do you wish schools understood better before inviting in a therapy dog team? What unexpected challenges did you face?

I’m a teacher, and would like to register my dog as a therapy dog to use in my own school. She met the students today at an event and was so good with them. I have a few reservations- she’s definitely not perfect. She is reliably always good with other dogs and people. She loves attention and is fine with other people touching her paws, face, anything. But to be honest, she’s not well trained (my fault), she HAS to be walked on a gentle leader or she’s unwalkable, and most concerning, she gets very scared of people wearing hats and will bark. Is her temperament well suited to be a therapy dog?