We’d love to welcome you and your best friend to a very fulfilling volunteer career together.
Is your dog a good fit?
- Friendly and outgoing with people of all ages
- Calm around new places, sounds and other dogs
- Trained in the basics of obedience
- Healthy and comfortable being handled and petted
We suggest looking at the requirements for the AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate. If you aren’t sure about your dog’s talents, we can recommend trainers and behaviorists who can help you prepare.
Five steps from pet to partner
- Say hello. Send us the short form below.
- Prepare. Work on basic obedience; CGC is a great goal.
- Get evaluated and registered. We offer evaluation and registration through Alliance of Therapy Dogs. All registered therapy dogs are welcome.
- Join WTTD. Complete the membership application.
- Start visiting. {{OWNER: Do new teams shadow an experienced team?}}
What it costs
- WTTD membership: $20 a year {{OWNER: confirm current fee}}
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs membership: $30 a year, which includes evaluation and insurance coverage {{OWNER: confirm current ATD fee}}
We hold new-member testing monthly. {{OWNER: next evaluation date and location}}
Tell us about you and your dog
Prefer paper? Download the membership application (PDF).
Questions
Is there a Tennessee therapy dog certification?
Therapy dog teams are evaluated and registered by national organizations, such as Alliance of Therapy Dogs. We’ll walk you through it.
My dog is already registered with another organization. Can we join?
Yes. All registered therapy dogs are welcome.
What’s the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog?
Read our short guide.