World’s First Association Certifying Holistic Therapy Dogs
The Holistic Therapy Dog Association (HTDA) sets rigorous, humane standards that honor the whole animal—mind, body, and environment—so teams can deliver safe, restorative care.
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About Us
Founded to raise the bar for therapy dog work, HTDA certifies teams using an integrative framework that blends behavioral science, low‑stress techniques, and handler well‑being.
- Independent credentialing with transparent criteria
- Annual renewal requirements and continuing education
- Public registry for instant license verification
What “holistic” means to us
We recognize the interconnectedness of physical health, emotional regulation, training methods, environment, and handler support. We don’t endorse aversive tools or practices.
Our Mission
To ensure therapy dog teams deliver compassionate, evidence‑aligned care that benefits clients and protects canine welfare.
🐾 Welfare first
Every standard is designed to protect the dog’s physical and emotional safety.
🔎 Transparency
Clear criteria, auditable records, and a public license checker build trust.
🎓 Lifelong learning
We require CE credits and support growth with webinars and resources.
Verify a License
Enter a certificate ID (e.g., HTDA-0001) and, optionally, a handler last name. This demo checks a small sample dataset locally.
How to connect a real registry
Replace the sampleRegistry object in the script with a call to your database or Google Sheet (published as CSV/JSON). We can wire this up later.
Certify Your Dog
- Review eligibility: age 1+, basic manners, reliable cues.
- Submit veterinary health and vaccination records.
- Upload training documentation and video assessment.
- Pass the HTDA Practical & Temperament Evaluation.
- Agree to the HTDA Code of Ethics.
Ready to start? Use the quick form—your email app will open with your information prefilled.
What the evaluation covers
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Noise tolerance, novel surfaces, polite greetings |
| Handling | Touch tolerance, cooperative care, start/stop signal |
| Skills | Loose leash, settle on mat, leave‑it, recall |
| Handler | Advocacy, reading stress, low‑stress techniques |
Board of Trustees
Dr. Doctor
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Board‑certified physician and longtime advocate for animal‑assisted therapy. Guides HTDA’s clinical rigor and ethics.
Advisory Council
Behaviorists, veterinarians, and therapy program directors who review standards and continuing education.
Standards & Ethics
Contact us to participate in the next public comment period for the HTDA Standard.
FAQ
Is this different from other therapy dog orgs?
Yes—HTDA’s holistic framework explicitly centers canine welfare and low‑stress methods while maintaining rigorous assessment.
Do you accept all breeds?
Absolutely. Temperament, training, and welfare—not breed—determine eligibility.
How long does certification take?
Most teams complete the process in 2–6 weeks depending on readiness and scheduling.