Therapy Dogs United, Inc. is a 501(c)3 public charity. Our visitation and research-based programs are scheduled as group and individual sessions. All therapeutic or animal-assisted therapy dog visits are made by certified therapy dog teams registered through our nonprofit agency. Our services are provided as a community service throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania (Erie and Greater Pittsburgh region) and Western New York.
Our dedicated team of certified volunteers work hand-in-hand with medical, educational, and social service professionals or one-on-one with patients to provide therapeutic and physical therapy. TDU makes daily visits to schools and learning institutions, book stores, homeless shelters, senior and nursing communities, hospice facilities, family service organizations, reading clubs, rehabilitation centers, and beyond. With permission, we often provide a photo of our working therapy dogs for the Member Agency to keep. Visits to large groups are typically followed up with an "official" card from our therapy dog teams.
Did You Know? 
Medical science shows that interaction with a therapy dog can reduce blood pressure; promote physical healing; reduce anxiety, fatigue and depression; and provide emotional support. Our dogs love human contact and have no language barrier! We'd like to show you the calming and therapeutic effect that a therapy dog can have on your patients, clients or residents!
Our therapy dog teams work hand-in-hand with medical, educational, and social service professionals and one-on-one with patients. TDU makes regular visits to local schools and learning institutions, book stores, homeless shelters, senior and nursing communities, hospice facilities, family service organizations, reading clubs, rehabilitation centers, and beyond. For a complete listing of our Partner Agencies, please see the top right hand column of this page.
Let us bring joy and laughter to someone's life today. To learn more or to schedule your therapy dog visit, call (814) 456-DOGS.
Our Mission:
Therapy Dogs United, Inc. inspires physical and emotional healing through the use of interactive animal-assisted therapy and humane education.
"There is no phychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." Bern Williams
We have a proven track record of success. Every volunteer representing Therapy Dogs United is personally committed to make sure your visit is pleasant, relaxing, and memorable.
Visits by our certified team of therapy dogs is available to any Member Agency that can benefit from our care. We only visit public facilities, not private residences.
Therapy Dogs United identifies each therapy dog, and his or her volunteer handler, as a "therapy dog team." On average, you can expect a typical visit to last 40 minutes to one hour. Some programs require visits made by more than one therapy dog team. We are proud to honor all visitation requests. Most scheduled visits take place in a community room where interested patients or residents have gathered - or are visits are made room-by-room.
Our agency is proactive...and we show it by working hard to make a difference in every life we touch. A therapy dog certified through Therapy Dogs United is easily identified in the community - and on the job - by our signature blue embroidered vest. We require each volunteer handler to undergo the Act 33 Pennsylvania Child Abuse background check, and wear a photo identification badge.