Therapy Dogs Carolina

We have teamed up with Therapy Dogs Carolina to service the Triangle area. Therapy Dogs Carolina focuses on becoming the best of the best when it comes to serving the community — specializing in bringing companionship and joy to local communities through assisted living, children’s programs, hospitals, and much more.

Initial Interest Meeting

Join us on Saturday, September 21 at 2 PM for an introductory session on becoming a registered therapy dog team. Our special guest, Jack Barron, brings nearly 30 years of experience in the field. He has worked with four registered therapy dogs and has directed one of the largest therapy dog programs in the U.S.

This is a non-dog meeting. Call or text 919-714-9748 to register.

Mission Statement

Therapy Dogs Carolina is an organization whose mission is to provide service, therapy, and comfort to the community through well-trained and rigorously tested therapy and comfort canines. Our organization includes dedicated therapy teams, trainers, fosters, and volunteers who take a canine with great potential and mold that potential into a happy, focused, and obedient dog ready to serve groups and individuals within the community. Once their potential is realized, our canines are ready to serve children, senior citizens, victims, soldiers, those with special needs, and anywhere else we are called.

What Do Therapy Dogs Do?

A therapy dog is trained to provide affection and comfort to people through animal-assisted activities in locations like hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, mental health facilities, schools, veterans hospitals, and disaster areas.

Therapy dogs give and receive affection freely and are generally welcome in any establishment where they can provide love and comfort, though some institutions may have their own specific requirements.

A therapy dog’s primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with them to derive comfort and pleasure. Children often enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. Therapy dogs are exemplary in their behavior and obedience — calm, relaxed, affectionate, not easily startled, able to be handled and touched everywhere, well-groomed, and not driven to jump or take food.

Therapy Dog vs. Service Dog – What’s the Difference?

A Service Dog is not considered a pet. It performs at least two specific tasks for an individual and is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A dog that is therapeutic to its disabled handler is classified as a Service Dog or Emotional Support Animal — not a Therapy Dog.

Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs directly assist humans and have a legal right to accompany their owners because they have been specifically trained to assist with a disability. Therapy dogs do not provide direct assistance, do not have legal rights to travel everywhere, and must be invited by institutions. Most institutions have rigorous requirements for therapy dog access. Therapy dog tags do not reference ADA rules, as the ADA does not apply to therapy dogs.

A therapy dog is a well-trained pet that has met certain criteria and is certified by a recognized organization. The dog must be certified with a specific handler — or in the case of multiple handlers, must complete the full certification process with each one. There is an annual renewal fee and refresher task for each dog in order to maintain handler insurance.

Questions or Interested in Joining?

• Email us at Raleigh@SitMeansSit.com
• Call or text us at 919-714-9748