Therapy animals are more than just adorable companions—they can play a vital role in emotional healing, stress relief, and improving quality of life. Dogs and cats are among the most common animals used in therapy, thanks to their natural affection, loyalty, and calming presence.
In this post, we’ll explore how cats and dogs can become certified therapy animals, what the certification process involves, and how therapy animals differ from service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs).
What Do Therapy Pets Do?
Therapy pets are trained to provide comfort, affection, and emotional support to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, disaster areas, and more. These animals don’t live with the people they’re helping—instead, they visit as part of a program, often led by a volunteer handler.
Common benefits therapy animals provide:
- Lower blood pressure and stress levels
- Improve mood and sociability
- Offer comfort during grief or trauma
- Encourage physical and emotional healing
What Does a Therapy Pet Need?
Not every cat or dog is cut out to be a therapy animal, but with the right temperament and training, many pets can become certified. Here’s what they typically need:
1. Calm, Friendly Temperament
Therapy pets must be well-socialized, calm under pressure, and not reactive to loud noises, crowds, or other animals. They should enjoy being petted and handled by strangers.
2. Basic Obedience Training
Your pet should reliably respond to commands like sit, stay, come, and leave it. Leash manners are also essential.
3. Health Requirements
- Up-to-date on vaccinations
- Clean, well-groomed, and parasite-free
- Regularly checked by a vet
4. Certification Through a Therapy Animal Organization
You’ll typically need to:
- Apply and pass a temperament evaluation
- Complete obedience and behavior assessments
- Do supervised practice visits
- Renew certification annually or biannually
Popular therapy animal organizations include:
Therapy Animals vs. Service Animals vs. ESAs: What’s the Difference?
There’s a lot of confusion around the different types of support animals. Here’s a comparison chart to help clarify:
| Feature/Right | Therapy Animals | Service Animals | Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Provide comfort in group settings | Perform specific tasks for a disability | Offer emotional support to one individual |
| Training Required | Yes – obedience & temperament testing | Yes – task-specific training | No formal training required |
| Certification Required | Yes – through therapy orgs | No official cert needed, but proof of training is often helpful | Requires letter from a licensed mental health professional |
| Public Access Rights (stores, restaurants, etc.) | No | Yes – protected under ADA | No |
| Allowed in Housing (No-pet policies) | Only during therapy visits | Yes | Yes – protected under Fair Housing Act |
| Air Travel Rights (U.S.) | No | Yes | Not guaranteed (varies by airline policy) |
| Common Animals Used | Dogs, cats (sometimes rabbits, birds) | Primarily dogs | Dogs, cats, and other animals |
| Handler’s Role | Volunteer or certified handler | Person with a disability | Person with a mental/emotional condition |
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever thought your cat or dog had a gift for comforting others, they might make a great therapy animal. With the right training and certification, your furry friend could brighten someone’s day in a hospital room, calm a student in school, or bring a smile to a senior in assisted living.
Thinking of certifying your pet? Start with a temperament assessment and reach out to a local or national therapy animal organization to learn more.
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