We rigorously screen and prepare aspiring therapy dog teams to high standards for safety and professionalism. Teams must successfully complete our in-person class, the test, and practice lab before registering. We provide existing teams with ongoing support. Certified therapy dog teams are eligible for coverage under our liability insurance for volunteer therapy dog visits. All teams must recertify every two years. Handlers must be at least 14 yrs old. From ages 14 to 18 they must be accompanied on every visit by a legal guardian who has also gone through the training process with them. Learn more about becoming a team.

Our children's literacy support program is based on Intermountain Therapy Animals' well-respected R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) curriculum. Research has shown that children in reading support programs feel less stress when reading aloud to a dog than when reading aloud to a friend. Moreover, children who read to dogs experience higher self-esteem about reading, which may make them more receptive to reading support programs that don't include dogs. And dogs just love being read to! In addition to Project Canine therapy dog certification, teams receive additional training in therapy-dog-based literacy support and safe handling around children. Our program incorporates elements from Dr. Sophia Yin’s How to Greet a Dog and What to Avoid to teach children how to have safe experiences with dogs.

Every year hundreds of thousands of children are bitten by dogs. Many dog bites are preventable just by educating children about basic canine safety. We use elements of Dr. Sophia Yin’s How to Greet a Dog and What to Avoid in combination with hands-on practice to teach children how to be safe around dogs. The program can be tailored by age and can last from half an hour to an hour. We've presented to scout groups, schools, and youth facilities, as well as at birthday parties and other private gatherings.

Our humane education program teaches children important social skills (accepting diversity, overcoming fear, preventing bullying) while building trust, self-confidence, and communication. Therapy dogs help us illustrate and practice concepts while inspiring and motivating kids. While interacting with the dogs, kids practice the Three Ps: patience, success through practice, and positive reinforcement. The program can run 4 to 12 weeks and can be tailored to classrooms, camps, and residential facilities for children of all ages. Our program is appropriate for all children including at risk youth and children with emotional or behavioral issues.