A Guide to Therapy Dogs, Animal-Assisted Activities & Therapy

Pet Products and Services Offered: Therapy Pets/Animals - Animal assisted therapy - pet visits to area hospitals, assisted-living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and schools

Types of Pets Served: Dogs, cats, most domesticated animals

Additional Information: National Capital Therapy Dogs, Inc. (NCTD), also known as the Caring Canines, is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that provides Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) services. While most of our animal teammates are dogs, we also work with cats and other domesticated animals.

Trained, screened NCTD volunteers and their animal teammates visit clients at health care facilities and schools in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, including:

* National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
Visiting pediatric and adult patients at bedside and in small groups
* Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City, Ellicott City, Maryland
Visiting adolescent psychiatric inpatients
* Chevy Chase House, Chevy Chase, DC
Helping seniors remain physically and mentally healthy
* Faith Baptist Christian School, Laurel, Maryland
As part of our Capital READ program, working with children to improve reading skills

Professional Memberships: Delta Society Pet Partners Affiliate

Service Area: Baltimore - Washington D.C. area