This presentation introduces participants to the role and impact of Animal Assisted Therapy. It defines what therapy animals are, how they differ from service and emotional support animals, and the benefits they provide—including emotional comfort, social connection, and therapeutic support across various settings like hospitals, schools, and senior care facilities.

We cover the handler’s responsibilities, including professional conduct, animal care, reading dog body language, and ensuring safe, positive interactions. Participants also learn how to recognize signs of stress in dogs, the importance of staying under threshold, and how to handle real-world visit scenarios.

Finally, we walk through the therapy dog testing process, behavioral requirements, and visit etiquette—preparing teams to provide meaningful support while advocating for their animal’s well-being.

This course focuses specifically on handler/dog teams.