Do you need a license to take a therapy dog to hospitals for visits?

Though a license is not required, you can not just walk into a hospital with your dog and claim it as a therapy animal. You must first have permission from the facility you wish to visit.

Each facility will have its own requirements for those wishing to visit with therapy animals. Most require that you be part of a recognized therapy pet group, that your animal have current health papers on record with the facility, that your pet be certified as a therapy pet, and that you carry liability insurance.

Therapy pet organizations, such as the Delta Society, Therapy Dogs International, or Therapy Dogs Incorporated, each administer tests to determine whether an animal is suitable for working in therapy situations. Each also has a code of ethics by which members agree to abide. Part of the annual registration fee goes toward liability insurance which is required by most facilities.