As dedicated breeders of Golden Retrievers—especially from gentle, English lines—we’ve always been passionate about raising dogs who bring more than joy to a family. Many of our puppies go on to become trusted companions, emotional support animals, and certified therapy dogs. Watching one of our puppies grow into a source of comfort and connection for others is one of the most meaningful parts of our work.
If you’ve ever thought about therapy dog work or wondered whether your Golden might be a good fit, this article is for you. We’ll walk through what therapy dogs do, who they help, and how to become a certified therapy team through organizations like Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
What Is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a well-mannered, people-loving dog who visits hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries, and other settings to bring emotional support and comfort. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks for one person with a disability. Instead, they are “everyone’s dog” for a moment—offering warmth and calm through quiet companionship, a wagging tail, or simply a gentle presence.
Therapy dogs can support people dealing with:
- Illness and hospitalization
- Mental health challenges
- Trauma or grief
- Loneliness and isolation
- Learning difficulties (such as reading programs for children)
Golden Retrievers, with their intuitive, affectionate nature, are especially well-suited to this role.
Why Goldens Excel in Therapy Work
As breeders, we’ve seen time and again how the Golden Retriever’s calm, friendly temperament makes them a natural fit for therapy work. Many of our dogs are not only beautiful and well-structured but also steady, affectionate, and eager to connect with people of all ages.
We carefully select for traits that make a great therapy dog:
- Gentle disposition
- Confidence without over-excitability
- Patience in new environments
- Responsiveness to people and cues
- Non-reactive to loud sounds, wheelchairs, or medical equipment
Not every Golden is automatically a therapy dog, of course—personality matters. But with the right temperament and training, many are truly exceptional at it.
All of Our Breeding Dogs Are Registered Therapy Dogs
We don’t just believe in therapy work—we live it. Every one of our breeding dogs is a registered therapy dog, certified through a national organization like Alliance of Therapy Dogs. We actively work with our dogs in real-world settings to ensure their temperaments are not only ideal for family life but proven in environments where calm, trust, and emotional intelligence are essential.
This isn’t just a box to check—it’s a core value of our breeding program. We want our puppies to inherit the kind of temperament that is predictably gentle, loving, and confident—perfect not only for therapy or service work but also for the everyday emotional needs of a family.
How to Become a Certified Therapy Team
If you’re interested in exploring therapy dog work with your dog, a great place to start is Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). ATD is a respected national organization that registers therapy dog teams and provides guidelines for safe, ethical visits.
Here’s an overview of the steps to certification:
1. Make Sure Your Dog Is Ready
Your dog should:
- Be at least 1 year old
- Have a calm, friendly temperament
- Be reliably obedient (sit, down, stay, come, loose leash walking)
- Be well-socialized to people, noises, and different environments
- Show no signs of aggression, fearfulness, or reactivity
Therapy work is not about perfect obedience—it’s about stable, people-loving personalities.
2. Join ATD and Review Their Guidelines
Start by applying on the Alliance of Therapy Dogs website. They’ll provide a handbook that explains what to expect and what’s required for evaluations and supervised visits.
3. Pass an Initial Behavior Evaluation
A certified ATD evaluator will observe your dog’s behavior and temperament. They’ll look for:
- Politeness with strangers
- Calmness around medical equipment or other dogs
- Reactions to loud noises or sudden movement
- Willingness to be gently handled
4. Complete Supervised Visits
You’ll complete at least three observed therapy visits with your evaluator to demonstrate that your dog behaves appropriately in real-world situations.
5. Receive Your Registration
Once you’ve passed the evaluation and visits, you’ll become a registered therapy team. You’ll receive an ID badge, and your dog will be eligible to wear a therapy vest during visits.
Final Thoughts
Therapy dog work is an incredibly rewarding way to share the love, warmth, and steadiness of a well-bred Golden Retriever. As breeders, we take great pride in producing dogs who have what it takes to bring peace and comfort to those who need it most.
Whether you’re looking to raise a beloved family dog or a certified therapy companion, we are here to guide you every step of the way—and so are our dogs.To learn more about becoming a certified therapy team, visit Alliance of Therapy Dogs.