Glossary

Therapy dog

A pet that, with its owner, visits hospitals, schools and nursing homes to comfort others; it has no special public-access rights.

Also called: therapy animal, visiting dog, pet therapy, animal-assisted activity, registered therapy dog, facility dog

A therapy dog is a calm, friendly dog that goes with its owner to places such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and libraries to give comfort to many people. Handlers often join a national or local group that tests the dog for good manners, steady temperament and comfort with strangers, medical equipment and noise. Many groups also require current vaccinations and regular re-evaluation.

A therapy dog is a volunteer working with its own handler, and it belongs to its home. It has no public-access rights. It is allowed only where the facility has invited it, and this is the main difference from a service dog, which assists one person with a disability. It also differs from an emotional support animal, which lives with a person who needs it, and from a facility dog that works full time with a professional.

Not every friendly pet suits the job. Dogs need to enjoy contact, tolerate clumsy petting and recover easily from stress.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Service dog A dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, and the only dog with public-access rights under the US ADA. Emotional support animal An animal that comforts a person with a disability but is not task trained; protected in housing but not given public access under the ADA. Assistance dog A broad term for a dog trained to help a person with a disability, including guide, hearing and service dogs; wider than the ADA term service animal.