How Cats and Dogs Can Become Certified Therapy Pets

Disclaimer: I am certified in Emotional Support Pets and Pet Therapy through Udemy, and my content is informed by that training as well as personal experience. However, I am not a licensed veterinarian or animal behaviorist. The information shared here is for educational and inspirational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified vet or pet care expert when making decisions that affect your pet’s health and well-being.

Therapy animals are more than just adorable companions—they can play a vital role in emotional healing, stress relief, and improving quality of life. Dogs and cats are among the most common animals used in therapy, thanks to their natural affection, loyalty, and calming presence.

In this post, we’ll explore how cats and dogs can become certified therapy animals, what the certification process involves, and how therapy animals differ from service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs).

What Do Therapy Pets Do?

Therapy pets are trained to provide comfort, affection, and emotional support to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, disaster areas, and more. These animals don’t live with the people they’re helping—instead, they visit as part of a program, often led by a volunteer handler.

Common benefits therapy animals provide:

• Lower blood pressure and stress levels

• Improve mood and sociability

• Offer comfort during grief or trauma

• Encourage physical and emotional healing

What Does a Therapy Pet Need?

Not every cat or dog is cut out to be a therapy animal, but with the right temperament and training, many pets can become certified. Here’s what they typically need:

1. Calm, Friendly Temperament

Therapy pets must be well-socialized, calm under pressure, and not reactive to loud noises, crowds, or other animals. They should enjoy being petted and handled by strangers.

2. Basic Obedience Training

Your pet should reliably respond to commands like sit, stay, come, and leave it. Leash manners are also essential.

3. Health Requirements

• Up-to-date on vaccinations

• Clean, well-groomed, and parasite-free

• Regularly checked by a vet

4. Certification Through a Therapy Animal Organization

You’ll typically need to:

• Apply and pass a temperament evaluation

• Complete obedience and behavior assessments

• Do supervised practice visits

• Renew certification annually or biannually

Popular therapy animal organizations include:

• Pet Partners

• Alliance of Therapy Dogs

• Therapy Dogs International

Therapy Animals vs. Service Animals vs. ESAs: What’s the Difference?

There’s a lot of confusion around the different types of support animals. Here's a comparison chart to help clarify:

Feature/Right	Therapy Animals	Service Animals	Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
Purpose	Provide comfort in group settings	Perform specific tasks for a disability	Offer emotional support to one individual
Training Required	Yes – obedience & temperament testing	Yes – task-specific training	No formal training required
Certification Required	Yes – through therapy orgs	No official cert needed, but proof of training is often helpful	Requires letter from a licensed mental health professional
Public Access Rights (stores, restaurants, etc.)	No	Yes – protected under ADA	No
Allowed in Housing (No-pet policies)	Only during therapy visits	Yes	Yes – protected under Fair Housing Act
Air Travel Rights (U.S.)	No	Yes	Not guaranteed (varies by airline policy)
Common Animals Used	Dogs, cats (sometimes rabbits, birds)	Primarily dogs	Dogs, cats, and other animals
Handler's Role	Volunteer or certified handler	Person with a disability	Person with a mental/emotional condition

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever thought your cat or dog had a gift for comforting others, they might make a great therapy animal. With the right training and certification, your furry friend could brighten someone’s day in a hospital room, calm a student in school, or bring a smile to a senior in assisted living.

Thinking of certifying your pet? Start with a temperament assessment and reach out to a local or national therapy animal organization to learn more.