Therapy dogs are always privately owned pets.
They and their volunteer owners work together as a Team. The handler must attend a 12-week training program with their personal canine, usually a family pet. At the completion of the training program, the handler must pass a written test and meet certification standards. They must also be willing to commit to attend preassigned weekly or bimonthly visitations, each lasting 45-90 minutes. In addition, hospital personnel, plus family members and friends of the patients also derive great emotional benefits during the regular visitations.