Process

The first step of becoming a therapy dog team is completing our online application. Please review our standards before applying. Once we receive and review your application, we will be in touch with you to discuss the next steps.

Location: Online application form

Duration: Approximately 15 minutes

Cost: Free

In-person meeting with our trainer and staff where we run through a series of exercises to assess your dog’s obedience skills and to ensure that your dog will enjoy therapy dog volunteer work.

Schedule: We will reach out to you to schedule your screening after receiving your application.

Locations: Norwalk CT and White Plains NY

Duration: 20 minutes

Cost: Free

Our trainer Sarah Bonomo (CPDT-KA, CSAT, Fear-Free Certified) and members of our staff lead our group classes where we polish your dog’s obedience abilities, teach you both the skills needed to be a successful therapy dog team, and strengthen the bond you have with your dog.

Schedule: Quarterly class cycles

• CT: Wednesdays (late afternoon/early evening)

• NY: Mondays (late afternoon/early evening)

Locations: 

• CT: Round Hill Community Church in Greenwich

• NY: SPCA Westchester in Briarcliff Manor

Duration: Six weekly hourlong classes

Cost: $300

After successfully completing our training course (or similar), you and your dog will be invited to evaluate at a public location with distractions. The evaluation will include obedience exercises and therapy dog visit role playing exercises. A current rabies vaccination certificate is required prior to evaluation.

Schedule: We conduct two days of evaluations each quarter and will schedule your time slot after training course completion

Locations: Norwalk and Greenwich CT, plus White Plains NY

Duration: 30 minutes

Cost: $50

Once teams pass the evaluation, they proceed to the certification and registration process, which requires submission of documents outlined below:

• Veterinarian Health Assessment form completed and signed by your vet

• Rabies vaccination certificate (provided prior to evaluation)

• Negative fecal test result (within 60 days of evaluation date)

• Current dog license from your city/town

• Consent to handler background check

• Signed Volunteer Agreement form

Cost: $50

Upon successfully completing the above, newly certified and registered teams receive the following:

• Live online video orientation session

• Official personalized printed record of their certification

• Laminated ID badge (including clear vinyl holder and branded lanyard)

• Branded tote bag or knapsack (handler’s choice)

• Branded t-shirt and sweatshirt for handler to wear when conducting visits

• Branded bandana for dog to wear when conducting visits

• Printed custom color dog “business cards” to share on visits

• Branded dog tags for your dog’s collar

• Access to online store for optional branded apparel for dogs and handlers

• Liability insurance coverage when visiting on behalf of Therapy Dog Brigade

We work with certified teams one-on-one to match them with facilities in or near their communities. Handlers establish visiting schedules directly with the facility in accordance with the availability and needs of both parties. 

Our staff accompanies certified teams on their initial visits (and on subsequent visits as requested or needed) to provide onsite guidance and support. We also provide periodic opportunities for continuing education on matters related to the work that we do as well as opportunities for community and connection with other teams. 

Annually, teams undergo a re-registration process, which involves a member of our staff observing the team during a visit to assess their skills, among other things. This process has a cost of $50 and includes new ID credentials for the team.