Promoting literacy in schools, soothing fears in the courthouse, comforting pediatric patients, medically fragile children, cognitively and physically challenged children, and teens struggling with anxiety, stress and grief.

Getting Started as a Therapy Team

No Dog, No Problem…click here.

1. Pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test.

2. Pass a leading agency’s Therapy Dog Certification Test.

Click on the preferred links below for more information on each agency’s testing requirements, schedule and locations.
- Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc.
- Comfort Caring Canines
- Therapy Dogs, Incorporated

Please note that RRTD does not accept teams certified by Therapy Dogs INTERNATIONAL. We are happy to help you set up re-testing with one of the above agencies.

3. Fill out our Volunteer Application, then contact us. We’ll arrange a meeting with our Welcome Team. They will answer any questions and help you to:

Submit a PA State Criminal History Request Form (Form #SP4 164) and follow the instructions for a New Record Check.
After the state returns the above form, apply for a PA Child Abuse Clearance History (Form #CY 113 (UF) 6/11).
Submit an FBI Fingerprinting Clearance.

Apply online, click here.

For more information on getting started and training your dog for the CGC or therapy dog evaluations, please contact board member Susie Danzis at Training Tails Dog Training.

“Giving back to the community is important to us. These programs directly benefit the families who patronize our business. If we can give a child a leg up in literacy skills, it’s a good choice for us and our kids.”
— Business Owner

2013-09-23T16:30:37+00:00

“Giving back to the community is important to us. These programs directly benefit the families who patronize our business. If we can give a child a leg up in literacy skills, it’s a good choice for us and our kids.” — Business Owner

http://roxyreading.org/testimonials/business-owner-1/

“Lots of good kids struggle in school or have a hard time due to issues out of their control. I feel blessed to be in a position to donate to a group that is out there on the front line helping these kids.”
— Contributor

2013-09-23T16:30:08+00:00

“Lots of good kids struggle in school or have a hard time due to issues out of their control. I feel blessed to be in a position to donate to a group that is out there on the front line helping these kids.” — Contributor

http://roxyreading.org/testimonials/contributor-1/

“I accompanied a terrified little girl into court to testify. I told her my dog liked to be hugged and she immediately wrapped herself around him. That gesture gave her the courage to speak up. It doesn’t get any better than that."
— Volunteer

2013-09-23T16:28:31+00:00

“I accompanied a terrified little girl into court to testify. I told her my dog liked to be hugged and she immediately wrapped herself around him. That gesture gave her the courage to speak up. It doesn’t get any better than that." — Volunteer

http://roxyreading.org/testimonials/teacher-3/

"They affect everyone they come in contact with—social workers, judges, families, and staff—in a positive way. What an amazing change this has made in the courthouse!"
— Courthouse Staffer

2013-09-23T16:24:52+00:00

"They affect everyone they come in contact with—social workers, judges, families, and staff—in a positive way. What an amazing change this has made in the courthouse!" — Courthouse Staffer

http://roxyreading.org/testimonials/courthouse-staffer/

"I find it remarkable that every single child I asked said that they like reading to the therapy dogs because the dogs don’t make fun of them.”
—Teacher

2013-09-23T16:23:19+00:00

"I find it remarkable that every single child I asked said that they like reading to the therapy dogs because the dogs don’t make fun of them.” —Teacher

http://roxyreading.org/testimonials/teacher-2/

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the book about dogs. You know what? I like reading now.”
— Child

2013-09-23T16:20:10+00:00

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the book about dogs. You know what? I like reading now.” — Child

http://roxyreading.org/testimonials/101/

“For many children, reading out loud is scary. I’ve seen so many kids take this leap while reading to their trusted four-legged companion. It’s a privilege to witness this milestone.”
—Volunteer

2013-09-23T16:27:40+00:00

“For many children, reading out loud is scary. I’ve seen so many kids take this leap while reading to their trusted four-legged companion. It’s a privilege to witness this milestone.” —Volunteer

http://roxyreading.org/testimonials/volunteer-2/

“I often see former students when they are on holiday breaks. The kids who were in the Roxy Reading program, without fail, mention the good times they had with their therapy team. The positive impact just doesn’t wear off!”
— Teacher

2013-09-23T16:21:22+00:00

“I often see former students when they are on holiday breaks. The kids who were in the Roxy Reading program, without fail, mention the good times they had with their therapy team. The positive impact just doesn’t wear off!” — Teacher

http://roxyreading.org/testimonials/teacher-1/

"One of our special needs students only calmed down when he was with the therapy dog. We put a lock of the dog’s hair in a plastic bag in his pocket to touch when he needed relief. This got him over a bad patch in second grade.”
—Volunteer

2013-09-23T16:25:56+00:00

"One of our special needs students only calmed down when he was with the therapy dog. We put a lock of the dog’s hair in a plastic bag in his pocket to touch when he needed relief. This got him over a bad patch in second grade.” —Volunteer

http://roxyreading.org/testimonials/volunteer-1/