Therapy Dog Certification
All prospective therapy dogs begin with an initial assessment to determine whether they have the temperament required for therapy work. If they pass this initial evaluation, the dog and handler begin training to meet the standards set by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), an international registry for certified therapy dog teams.
To earn certification from ATD, the team must complete in-person evaluations that assess the dog's behavior and manners, as well as the handler's control and communication skills. As part of the certification process, the team is observed during three supervised visits to medical facility residents.
Once these visits are successfully completed and the handler submits all required documentation—including proof of current vaccinations, a negative fecal exam, and a criminal background check—the dog and handler can participate in onboarding to become a certified Therapy Team.
Onboarding will cover how to sign up for visits, client confidentiality and sensitivity, visit guidelines, and an overview of the program's various partners.
Therapy Dog Partner Resources
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ATD Insurance Letter
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P4P Memorandum of Understanding
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P4P Photo Release
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List of Mental Health Partners
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Certificate of Insurance
Mental Health Partners- Chicagoland
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Compass Health Center
To create safe and caring environments that improve access to treatment, keep people at home and out of the higher level of care (e.g., emergency department and inpatient or residential facilities), and attain better outcomes.
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Plena Mind Center
To improve the lives of children and adolescents by enhancing their emotional well-being, resilience, and family relationships.
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Simply Bee IOP/PHP Center
To change lives through programs, services, and resources for all people to recognize, achieve, and sustain personal wellness.
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Skyway Behavioral Health
We founded Skyway Behavioral Health to help clients find real healing, give talented staff a place to make a difference, and change behavioral health for the better.
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SunCloud Health- Residential
Comprehensive, Intensive, Compassionate Care
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Yellowbrick
To serve as the national leader and resource for the psychiatric treatment of emerging adults.
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Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook
To foster the social and emotional growth of children and youth so that they can grow up happy, healthy and hopeful.
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Connections Academy East
To meet the educational needs of students experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties, which affect their ability to benefit from educational opportunities available at their home schools.
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Distrtict 219 Transition Services
Our mission is to help all former special education students to achieve independence.
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Evanston HS Therapeutic Day School
To provide individualized social-emotional support for students to develop skills to better access academic programming for post-secondary success.
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Niles Central High School
To provide comprehensive support, fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment for all students.
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North Shore Academy Therapeutic Day School
NSA embraces the Circle of Courage to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive community where individuals can build essential skills that lead to meaningful lives.
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Safe Haven School
Safe Haven School provides a safe, nurturing therapeutic environment for children grades 6-12 facing various challenges, such as emotional disturbances, learning disabilities, autism, and other health impairments.
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John Middleton Elementary School
Age Group: 1st through 5th
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Lake Forest High School
Age Group: 9th through 12th
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New Trier High School
Age Group: 9th through 12th
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Notre Dame College Prep High School
Age Group: 9th through 12th
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Oakton Community College
Age Group: College-aged students
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Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
Age Group: 9th through 12th
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Arie Crown Hebrew Day School
Age Group: Pre-K through 8th
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Daniel Wright Junior High School
Age Group: 6th through 8th
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Elizabeth Meyer School
Age Group: Preschool and Kindergarten
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Greenwood Elementary School
Age Group: Preschool through 5th
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Lake Forest Country Day School
Age Group: Age 2 through 8th Grade
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North Shore Country Day School
Age Group: JK through 12th Grade
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Oliver McCracken Middle School
Age Group: 6th through 8th
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Warren Township HS Evening Program
Age Group: 9th through 12th