What is a Therapy Dog?
Therapy Dogs are different than Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs. Each is trained for a specific purpose:
A Service Dog is specially trained to assist a physically disabled person, helping to fulfill tasks that the owner isn’t capable of doing. Service Dogs are allowed in public establishments.
An Emotional Support Dog provides companionship to a single owner, helping to reduce that person’s mental and emotional stress. These dogs may live with their owner even if there is a “no pets” policy, but are not permitted in public establishments, and are not trained to perform physical tasks.
A Therapy Dog is an outgoing, well-behaved dog that donates time and companionship to many different people in organizations including hospitals, schools, libraries, assisted living and nursing homes.