Frequently Asked Questions

To become a therapy dog team with PATDogs, both the dog and handler are evaluated together as a team. The dog should be friendly, well-mannered, enjoy meeting people, and remain calm in a variety of situations. The handler must demonstrate good control of the dog and the ability to advocate for their dog while interacting appropriately with clients and facility staff.

Prospective teams complete an Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) evaluation with a certified tester/observer. The evaluation looks at the dog's behavior, obedience, reactions to distractions, and how the team works together. Dogs must also meet ATD's health requirements, including being current on required vaccinations and health screenings, to help ensure the safety and well-being of the people they visit. Following successful evaluations and completion of the ATD requirements, the team can become registered and begin volunteering.