AKC Recognized Therapy Dog Organizations

Since the 1980’s, there have been significant advances in the field of animal assisted therapy and the use of therapy dogs.

Organised therapy dog groups screen both volunteers and dogs, provide educational material, and carry liability insurance for the time a dog and handler spend in a therapy setting. A dog must be certified by one of the organisations the American Kennel Club recognises before it is eligible for an AKC Therapy Dog title.

Certifying bodies recognised by the AKC

• Alliance of Therapy Dogs (formerly Therapy Dogs, Inc.)
• Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs
• Love on a Leash
• Pet Partners (previously Delta Society)
• Therapy Dogs International

Golden Paws Therapy Dogs (Phoenix, AZ area) is listed in the AKC’s own directory of therapy dog groups.

The AKC also publishes a directory of local therapy dog groups across the United States and Canada. It runs to several hundred entries and is maintained by the AKC, so it is not reproduced here — the link below goes to their list.

Reported by American Kennel Club. Read the full piece at American Kennel Club.