Get Involved
Join our all-volunteer non-profit organization and make a difference in the community. We provide pet therapy visits to hospitals, schools, and more, enriching the lives of those in need.
Supporting Member
You don’t have a dog but want to support pet therapy in the community? You will be warmly welcomed as a supporting member. You’ll pay minimal dues and may go along on visits, serve on committees, hold office, and use your special talents and skills to advance our cause.
Visiting Member
You want to participate actively in pet therapy? Bring a friendly, obedience-trained dog to our evaluation and training program to become a visiting member.
You will meet a training team – an experienced visiting member with a registered therapy dog -- at a place where you and your dog can demonstrate basic obedience skills and where you can make a practice visit to meet people as a therapy dog team with a trainer at your side.
Pass the evaluation, complete the paperwork, then you’ll go on supervised visits with a trainer to three different places to learn the ropes of actual therapy dog practice. Pass the supervised visits and graduate to visiting member status with full access to all our visiting opportunities.
Training Assistance
Gain access to personalized training assistance! We'll guide you through skill development, therapy techniques, and dog handling sessions to ensure you and your dog are fully prepared for successful visits.
Skill Development
Develop essential skills required for providing pet therapy visits to those in need.
Therapy Visits
Learn about the therapy visits we make at a variety of facilities to provide effective support and comfort.
Handling Sessions
Understand how to handle pet therapy visits professionally and compassionately.
How to Apply
Learn about the essential requirements and criteria for applying as a supporting or visiting member.
.jpg)
Training and Observation
Understand the training and observation requirements for you and your dog along the journey towards becoming a pet therapy volunteer.
Certification Process
Discover the steps involved in becoming a pet therapy volunteer at High Desert Therapy Dogs.