Therapy Dogs International

What Therapy Dogs International does

Therapy Dogs International (TDI), founded in 1976 by Elaine Smith in New Jersey, is the oldest therapy dog registry in the United States and operates as a 501(c)-style non-profit volunteer organization headquartered in Flanders, NJ. TDI tests, certifies, insures, and registers volunteer dog/handler teams that conduct visitations to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, assisted living facilities, hospice programs, domestic violence shelters, funeral homes, and disaster sites. The organization maintains a network of certified Evaluators across all 50 states and Canada, with approximately 20,000 participants and 24,000 therapy dogs currently registered. All registered volunteers are covered by $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate excess volunteer liability insurance.

TDI's core product is a proprietary 13-step Evaluation Test that assesses dog temperament, obedience, and suitability for therapy work, developed in-house in 2013 after TDI discontinued use of the AKC's Canine Good Citizen test. Beyond core registration, TDI operates three specialized sub-brand programs: Tail Waggin' Tutors (a school and library reading program), Disaster Stress Relief Dogs or DSRD (a disaster response unit coordinated with FEMA, Red Cross, and Salvation Army), and The Final Visit (a funeral home comfort program). TDI's distribution is volunteer-driven: registered Associate Members visit facilities directly, supported by local Chapters and TDI staff who coordinate with facilities and provide ID cards, tags, and bandanas.

TDI's revenue model relies on annual membership dues (amount undisclosed), one-time Evaluation fees of $10-$20 depending on team configuration, a $10 Limited Registration administration fee for applicants more than four hours from an Evaluator, and donations. Facility visitations themselves are always free. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors under President Ursula A. Kempe, who has led TDI since the 1989 reorganization. The employee count is reported at 1-10, with operational scale delivered almost entirely by unpaid volunteer Evaluators, chapter coordinators, and handler/dog teams.

Name

Therapy Dogs International

Legal name

Therapy Dogs International

Website

https://tdi-dog.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Therapy Dogs International, founded in 1976, is the oldest US therapy dog registry, certifying and insuring volunteer dog/handler teams that visit hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries, shelters, and disaster sites across all 50 states and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Veterinary Services (541940)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Therapy dog certification
• Animal-assisted therapy
• Volunteer dog registration
• Pet therapy programs
• Therapy dog evaluation

Headquarters

HQ city

Flanders

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: TDI is a non-profit organization supported through annual membership dues. Specific dues amounts are not publicly disclosed.
2. Testing Fees: TDI Evaluation fees: $10 for 1 dog + 1 handler, $10 for 1 dog + 2 handlers, $20 for 2 dogs + 1 handler, $20 for 2 dogs + 2 handlers. Additional fees may apply if test site charges for location use or if Evaluator must travel.
3. Limited Registration Administration Fee: $10 administration fee for Limited Registration for applicants more than 4 hours from an Evaluator.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Therapy Dogs International tests, certifies, insures, and registers volunteer dog/handler teams that conduct free therapeutic visits to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, shelters, hospices, assisted-living facilities, funeral homes, and disaster sites. The core deliverable is membership registration contingent on passing the TDI Evaluation, plus volunteer liability insurance and access to a network of facility partners. Operations are supported by specialized programs: Tail Waggin' Tutors (children's reading), Disaster Stress Relief Dogs (DSRD), and The Final Visit.

Product overview

Therapy Dogs International (TDI) is a nonprofit volunteer organization that serves as the oldest registry for therapy dogs in the United States. The organization's core offering is its therapy dog testing, certification, and registration service, which evaluates dogs for temperament and suitability to become volunteer therapy dogs. TDI provides its registered members with volunteer liability insurance coverage, identification materials (ID tags, bandanas, ID cards), access to a network of facilities, and ongoing membership support. The organization operates several specialized programs including the Tail Waggin' Tutors reading program for children, the Disaster Stress Relief Dogs (DSRD) program for responding to disasters, and The Final Visit program for funeral home support. TDI registers all breeds of dogs and operates through a network of certified evaluators and local chapters across the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tail Waggin' Tutors: TDI's reading program that encourages children to read by providing a non-judgmental listener and furry friend to read to.
• DSRD (Disaster Stress Relief Dogs)

Products and services

• Therapy Dog Registration and Certification TDI's core service: testing, certifying, insuring, and registering volunteer therapy dog/handler teams for free visitations to institutions and facilities. Dogs must pass the 13-step TDI Evaluation administered by certified Evaluators, after which the team registers as Associate Members and gains insurance coverage and access to facility placements.
• Tail Waggin' Tutors Program A reading program in which children practice reading aloud to therapy dogs in a non-judgmental, relaxed environment to build reading skills and self-esteem. Offered at participating schools, libraries, and after-school programs.
• Disaster Stress Relief Dogs (DSRD) Program A specialized unit of trained TDI therapy dog teams that respond to disaster areas to provide emotional support and stress relief to victims, families, first responders, and relief workers at Family Assistance Centers and relief sites.
• The Final Visit Program Provides TDI therapy dog/handler teams at funeral homes to offer comfort and support to family members and friends during the grieving process.
• TDI Associate Member Guide and Training Materials Training manual and Handler's DVD provided to new Associate Members to prepare them for therapy dog visitations, covering the rules, regulations, and visit procedures expected during facility visits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Studies have shown a decrease in blood pressure and stress levels during Therapy Dog visits
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Red Cross and Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001During 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina responses, TDI volunteers worked alongside Red Cross and Salvation Army personnel at Family Assistance Centers and relief centers. These organizations coordinate disaster relief efforts where TDI therapy dogs provide emotional support.
• American Kennel Club (AKC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001In 1991, TDI adopted the AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test as part of testing requirements. In 2013, TDI developed its own test and no longer uses the CGC. This historical relationship indicates standards alignment.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and affiliated agenciescoreOthers · 1 January 1995Following the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, TDI began formal disaster response partnerships with federal, state, and municipal agencies. The DSR program was created after experiences gained in Oklahoma City and 9/11. Agencies must officially invite TDI for disaster deployments.
• United WayminorOthersTDI is listed on the United Way list of organizations for disaster relief, indicating a recognized relationship for coordination during disaster response efforts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP): Member-supported organization representing assistance dog partners and standards. Useful comparator for therapy/assistance dog certification standards and member-organization governance models.
• American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen: AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is the foundational obedience/temperament certification TDI itself adopted from 1991–2013. Comparable as a standardized canine evaluation authority.

Direct peers

• Pet Partners: Largest U.S. therapy animal organization (formerly Delta Society). Certifies therapy animal teams across multiple species for visits to hospitals, schools, and disaster response — the closest direct functional competitor to TDI's therapy dog certification model.
• Love on a Leash: National therapy dog organization that certifies and registers therapy dog teams for visits to hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, and schools. Directly comparable volunteer-certification business model to TDI.
• Bright Spot Therapy Dogs: New England-based therapy dog organization that trains and evaluates teams for visits to healthcare and educational facilities. Smaller regional peer but uses the same therapy dog certification and visit delivery approach.
• Alliance of Therapy Dogs: National nonprofit that tests, certifies, and insures volunteer therapy dog teams. Operates a comparable volunteer-handler certification model and is one of TDI's most direct competitors for facility visitation programs.

Emerging players

• Canine Companions for Independence: Nonprofit that trains service dogs (not therapy dogs) for people with disabilities. Adjacent service-dog training and placement model — useful benchmark for scale and operating-model comparison with TDI.
• Therapy Dogs United: Smaller therapy dog registration organization with similar volunteer-handler certification focus. Niche competitor in the same therapy dog registry category as TDI.

Regional players

• St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program (Canada): Canadian therapy dog program run under St. John Ambulance with comparable volunteer visitation model. Operates in TDI's adjacent Canadian geography with similar hospital and school visitations.
• Paws for Purple Hearts: Nonprofit providing service and therapy dog programs for veterans with PTSD/TBI. Comparable animal-assisted intervention mission and federal partnerships, though focused specifically on military/veteran populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TherapyDogsInt
• Facebookfacebook.com/TherapyDogsInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/groups/Therapy-Dogs-International-TDI-4020539?gid=4020539&trk=hb_side_g
• Instagraminstagram.com/therapy_dogs_international
• Xx.com/TherapyDogsInt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Therapy Dogs International