National Therapy Animal Day

National Therapy Animal Day was created by Pet Partners to recognize all of the exceptional therapy dogs and other therapy animals who partner with their human companions to bring comfort, joy, and healing to those in need.

Pet Partners of Greater Dallas during the World's Largest Pet Walk.
Pet Partners of Greater Dallas
Pet Partners of Greater Dallas during the World's Largest Pet Walk.
Pet Partners of Greater Dallas

April 30 is National Therapy Animal Day!

National Therapy Animal Day was created by Pet Partners to:

  • Recognize and honor therapy dogs and other therapy animals who partner with their human companions (handlers) to bring comfort and healing to those in need.
  • Raise awareness and educate the public about the role therapy animals play in enhancing the health and well-being of humans.
  • Honor the thousands of dedicated handlers who volunteer their time and compassion during visits in a variety of settings including hospitals, pediatric care units, schools, and assisted living facilities.
  • Encourage pet owners to become therapy animal teams, creating happier, healthier communities through greater access to safe and meaningful interactions with therapy dogs and other therapy animals.

Have Your Hometown Proclaim April 30 National Therapy Animal Day  

Government officials in many cities, counties, and states across America are often happy to pass an annual official proclamation recognizing April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day.  

Ask your local officials to celebrate therapy animals, whether you are a volunteer therapy animal team, or someone who has benefitted from therapy animals in their personal life. These proclamations bring public attention to the benefits of interactions with therapy dogs and other therapy animals. They also let people in your community know about the many places where therapy teams can make a difference, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, police or fire stations, courtrooms, and more!  

If a proclamation in your community has been made, use these resources to draw attention to it:  

Ways to Celebrate National Therapy Animal Day

We offer a new limited-edition commemorative shirt design each year. Shirts come in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes, and are only available for order in our official merch shop for a limited time. Proceeds benefit Pet Partners.
In honor of National Therapy Animal Day, people all over the country are breaking out their mixing bowls and whipping up some treats and sweets to participate in this year’s Treats & Sweets Day for Pet Partners. Funds raised support the education and registration of thousands of therapy animal teams who make millions of life-enhancing visits each year.
Your contribution helps make more therapy animal teams possible.
Celebrate National Therapy Animal Day by posting about your pet on April 30. Tell us how your therapy animal is making a difference in your community. Help us spread awareness of the importance of the human-animal bond on National Therapy Animal Day by adding #NationalTherapyAnimalDay to your posts.