Start by getting approval from the facility and the therapy-animal program, then make sure your dog is healthy, comfortable around people, and supervised by an experienced handler. A calm visit depends on the facility’s rules, the dog’s welfare, and the needs and consent of the people taking part; not every dog or care setting is a good fit.
Confirm the facility and program’s requirements first
Contact both the care facility and the therapy-animal program before arranging a visit. Facilities set local rules, and a hospital may need to assess infection-control risks and decide whether visits can take place in a public area, an individual patient room, or somewhere else. CDC guidance calls for coordination between the facility and handler; it does not establish one checklist that applies everywhere.
Ask what the facility and program require for:
- Participation approval, handler training, and dog identification
- Health records, vaccinations, veterinary care, grooming, and parasite screening
- Where visits may take place and which patients may participate
- Patient consent, infection-control procedures, and hand hygiene
- Any additional rules for the particular unit or care situation
Follow the facility’s current instructions, including any limits based on a patient’s circumstances. A planned therapy-animal visit is not the same as a disability-related service animal accompanying its handler; the rules for therapy programs should not be treated as service-animal access rules. See the CDC guidance on animals in health-care facilities.
Make sure your dog is healthy and ready to participate
Health and veterinary care
CDC recommends that animals participating in these programs be fully vaccinated for zoonotic diseases, healthy, clean, well-groomed, free of relevant parasites, and under regular veterinary care. Its recommendations also address screening and treatment considerations for enteric parasites. The program or facility may set further requirements.
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If your dog has a health concern, including diarrhea, ask your veterinarian and the program whether the dog should participate. Do not try to diagnose a problem or treat a visit as more important than your dog’s health.
Grooming and allergy precautions
CDC recommends bathing a therapy animal within 24 hours of a visit to minimize allergens, and grooming to remove loose hair or using a therapy-animal cape. A cape is optional and only one loose-hair management measure; it does not qualify a dog for a program, make the dog calm, or guarantee that the facility will allow a visit.
Rank #2
- #1 VET-RECOMMENDED DOG ANXIETY VEST – Help your dog feel calmer. Trusted by veterinarians, trainers and millions of pet parents, ThunderShirt is the original dog calming vest used to reduce anxiety without medication.
- PATENTED DESIGN - CALMING PRESSURE TECHNOLOGY– This patented easy-to-apply dog calming vest provides constant, gentle pressure to your dog’s torso, helping ease anxiety naturally, similar to swaddling an infant.
- RESULTS DOG OWNERS TRUST – 89%* of pet parents reported improvement in their dog’s stress-related behaviors when using the ThunderShirt Dog Calming Vest.
- HELPS RELIEVE ANXIETY FROM COMMON TRIGGERS – Ideal for thunderstorms, fireworks, separation anxiety, vet visits, grooming appointments, crate training, travel, loud noises, and new visitors at home; curbing unwanted stress-related behaviors like hiding, barking, and destructive behaviors.
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Grooming cannot eliminate allergy or asthma risk. The CDC page attributes to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology an estimate that dog or cat allergies occur in approximately 15% of the population; the page does not identify the estimate’s original publication year or establish it as a current prevalence measurement. Coordinate with facility staff about patient needs and any restrictions.
Use an experienced handler and plan a manageable visit
CDC recommends training under experienced direction and having visits handled by people trained in safe activities who know the animal’s health and behavior. The handler should remain attentive throughout the session, coordinate with staff, and recognize when it is time to stop or change the visit.
Rank #3
- #1 VET-RECOMMENDED DOG ANXIETY VEST – Help your dog feel calmer. Trusted by veterinarians, trainers and millions of pet parents, ThunderShirt is the original dog calming vest used to reduce anxiety without medication.
- PATENTED DESIGN - CALMING PRESSURE TECHNOLOGY– This patented easy-to-apply dog calming vest provides constant, gentle pressure to your dog’s torso, helping ease anxiety naturally, similar to swaddling an infant.
- RESULTS DOG OWNERS TRUST – 89%* of pet parents reported improvement in their dog’s stress-related behaviors when using the ThunderShirt Dog Calming Vest.
- HELPS RELIEVE ANXIETY FROM COMMON TRIGGERS – Ideal for thunderstorms, fireworks, separation anxiety, vet visits, grooming appointments, crate training, travel, loud noises, and new visitors at home; curbing unwanted stress-related behaviors like hiding, barking, and destructive behaviors.
- COMFORTABLE & EASY TO USE – Lightweight, breathable, and machine washable dog calming vest. Simply fasten around the neck and torso for a secure fit. No training required. The Sport model is made of 100% durable, lightweight breathable polyester fabric providing comfortable, all-day wear while maintaining full mobility.
Agree with facility staff on where to go, who may interact with the dog, and how the visit will work. Keep the dog supervised and avoid contact with bodily fluids. If the setting or the dog’s behavior makes continuing unsuitable, end or adjust the session in coordination with staff. The goal is a safe, voluntary interaction—not making the dog stay when it is no longer comfortable.
Follow hygiene practices during and after the visit
CDC’s recommendation is direct: “Practice hand hygiene after any animal contact.” Follow the facility’s instructions and minimize contact with saliva, dander, urine, and feces. Facilities should also follow routine cleaning practices after sessions. CDC’s recommendations are available in Part II. Recommendations for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities.
Rank #4
- #1 VET-RECOMMENDED DOG ANXIETY VEST – Help your dog feel calmer. Trusted by veterinarians, trainers and millions of pet parents, ThunderShirt is the original dog calming vest used to reduce anxiety without medication.
- PATENTED DESIGN - CALMING PRESSURE TECHNOLOGY– This patented easy-to-apply dog calming vest provides constant, gentle pressure to your dog’s torso, helping ease anxiety naturally, similar to swaddling an infant.
- RESULTS DOG OWNERS TRUST – 89%* of pet parents reported improvement in their dog’s stress-related behaviors when using the ThunderShirt Dog Calming Vest.
- HELPS RELIEVE ANXIETY FROM COMMON TRIGGERS – Ideal for thunderstorms, fireworks, separation anxiety, vet visits, grooming appointments, crate training, travel, loud noises, and new visitors at home; curbing unwanted stress-related behaviors like hiding, barking, and destructive behaviors.
- COMFORTABLE & EASY TO USE – Lightweight, breathable, and machine washable dog calming shirt. Simply fasten around the neck and torso for a secure fit. No training required
Keep visit records if your program requires them
Recordkeeping depends on the purpose of the visits. For example, the American Kennel Club’s therapy-dog title program requires at least 10 documented therapy visits for that title. Its records include the time, date, location, and a facility staff signature, and the program page describes qualifying alternative documentation. This is an AKC title-program requirement, not a general rule for entering a hospital or care facility. Check the AKC visit-documentation requirements if you are pursuing that title.
Where handlers can learn more
Pet Partners describes an infection-prevention course for handlers, facility staff, and volunteer coordinators. See Infection Prevention & Therapy Animal Visits for information about the course.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- #1 VET-RECOMMENDED DOG ANXIETY VEST – Help your dog feel calmer. Trusted by veterinarians, trainers and millions of pet parents, ThunderShirt is the original dog calming vest used to reduce anxiety without medication.
- PATENTED DESIGN - CALMING PRESSURE TECHNOLOGY– This patented easy-to-apply dog calming vest provides constant, gentle pressure to your dog’s torso, helping ease anxiety naturally, similar to swaddling an infant.
- RESULTS DOG OWNERS TRUST – 89%* of pet parents reported improvement in their dog’s stress-related behaviors when using the ThunderShirt Dog Calming Vest.
- HELPS RELIEVE ANXIETY FROM COMMON TRIGGERS – Ideal for thunderstorms, fireworks, separation anxiety, vet visits, grooming appointments, crate training, travel, loud noises, and new visitors at home; curbing unwanted stress-related behaviors like hiding, barking, and destructive behaviors.
- COMFORTABLE & EASY TO USE – Lightweight, breathable, and machine washable dog calming shirt. Simply fasten around the neck and torso for a secure fit. No training required
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