Hero Dogs, Inc. is an AKC Recognized Therapy Dog Organization. The dogs in the Hero Dogs Therapy Dog program provide affection and comfort throughout the greater Washington, DC area, prioritizing visits to locations that are aligned with our mission to help veterans and first responders.
Therapy dogs go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as police stations, firehouses, hospitals, assisted-living or retirement homes, schools, libraries, etc. Some therapy dogs and their handlers may work in partnership with clinicians to provide animal-assisted therapy.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. A person accompanied by a therapy dog has no special rights of access, except in those facilities where they are welcomed.
What kind of training do your therapy dogs receive?
Our dogs, as they all began as service-dogs-in-training, are exceptionally proficient with basic obedience and manners. They have all earned their Canine Good Citizen title and have passed our Therapy Dog test, including completing two visits supervised by one of our staff.
What sorts of facilities do you visit?
The Hero Dogs Therapy Dog program prioritize visiting locations aligned with our mission; specifically, those that serve veterans and first responders.
How can my dog join the Hero Dogs Therapy Dog program?
All Hero Dogs Therapy Dogs began their training as service-dogs-in-training, but proved to be most suitable for a career as a therapy dog.
If your dog began training as a service-dog-in-training and you are interested in joining our program, it is helpful (but not required) if they have already earned their CGC title. To join our program, dogs must be evaluated and complete our certification process.
Unfortunately, we do not provide training or certification to dogs other than those who began as service-dogs-in-training.
If your dog did not start as a service-dog-in-training, but you are still interested in working with them as a therapy dog, we suggest contacting any of the following organizations:
For an even more comprehensive listing:
How do I request a Therapy Dog visit?
You can fill out our visit request form.
Hero Dogs Therapy Dogs
