All-volunteer · Memphis & West Tennessee

Volunteers from the Volunteer State, sharing smiles one visit at a time.

West TN Therapy Dogs is a group of volunteer dog-and-handler teams who visit hospitals, schools, libraries and senior communities, bringing a calm, friendly visit wherever it’s needed.

Request a visit Become a team

{{OWNER: who evaluates and registers every team: ATD only, or ATD plus R.E.A.D. / other national groups?}}

Flirt, a golden retriever — Flirt · Golden retriever

Scout, a yellow Labrador, in his reading-dog vest — Scout · British Labrador

How can we help?

Facilities & events

Request a visit

Hospitals, schools, libraries, senior communities, campuses and events. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll match a team.

Start a request

Dog owners

Become a team

Is your dog friendly, calm and well-mannered? See how you can train, get evaluated and start visiting together.

See the steps

Friends of WTTD

Support our teams

We’re all volunteers. See the ways you can help our teams keep visiting.

Ways to help

Small visits, adding up across West Tennessee.

active teams {{OWNER: number}}

visits this year {{OWNER: number}}

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Memphis & West Tennessee
Serving since {{OWNER: founding year (2008?)}}

Where we visit

Wherever a friendly face can help.

Our teams visit on request, one time or on a regular schedule. See where we visit

Tessa, a golden retriever, with her handler Pete at Memphis International Airport — **Tessa & Pete at Memphis International**Greeting travelers at the gates. {{OWNER: still visiting?}}

Hospitals & clinics
Pediatrics, oncology, rehabilitation and hospice, following each facility’s rules.
Schools & reading
Story time and reading practice with a patient, non-judging listener.
Libraries & campuses
Stress breaks during exam week, like our visits to the University of Memphis library.
Senior living
Nursing homes, assisted living and memory care: regular friends, familiar faces.
Memphis International Airport
A welcome for travelers passing through MEM.
Community & workplace events
Wellness days, family events and special occasions around the region.

Meet the teams

Two ends of every leash.

Each WTTD team is a volunteer handler and their dog. Here are a few of them.

Sallie

Labrador retriever · with Andrea

Hospitals & clinics

Emme

Goldendoodle · with Cheryl

Senior living

Scout

British Labrador · with Grace

Schools & reading

Maverick

Greyhound (adopted racer) · with Tonia

AirportSchools & reading

Meet all our teams

How a visit works

Simple for you, planned with care.

Tell us about it
Share the place, the people and the dates that work.
We match a team
A coordinator finds a team suited to your setting.
Visit day
Our team checks in, follows your rules and lets people choose to say hello.
Stay in touch
One time or recurring, we plan what’s next together.

Request a visit Visit FAQ

Stories