What Is a Therapy Dog?
Therapy dogs and their handlers volunteer to visit others to provide company, comfort, and smiles. Because of this distinction, therapy dogs do not get special clearance into restaurants, stores, airplanes, or any other public places as they are not considered service dogs.
What Types of Dogs Are Used?
All types! Some dogs are purebred, some are mixed breed. Any size or breed is acceptable providing the dog has a true heart for meeting new people. A prospective therapy dog enjoys attention and is well mannered and responsive to its handler.
Who Do We Visit?
Our members and their dogs visit nursing homes, assisted care facilities, retirement homes, Montrose Memorial Hospital, schools, and the Montrose Regional Library. They may give programs at local service clubs. They also may participate in parades, fundraising events, walks, and other club activities and functions. The dog teams are also available for emergency or crisis situations in the community. We are always looking for opportunities to serve the community.
Our Fees?
Members pay no dues or fees, but each nationally recognized therapy dog organization has its own fee requirements which you are responsible for paying. Each full-time member receives a Morningstar Therapy Dogs vest and a bookmark with a picture of their dog and a short bio.
Do I have to be a member of Morningstar Therapy Dogs to be a certified Therapy Dog Team?
No. After you are tested and certified with a national group, you can schedule visits on your own. However, we would love to have you part of our organization as we promote therapy dogs within our community and have connections with agencies who often contact us asking for therapy dog teams.
Steps to Join
Becoming a member is easy once these steps are complete. Don’t have a therapy dog? You can still be an associate member helping us help our therapy dog teams. Membership for all is free.
1. Obtain Therapy Dog Certification
Obtain certification through a nationally recognied therapy organization. See Therapy Dogs 101.
2. By-Laws
Read our By-Laws to learn our expectations for members.
3. Application
Types of Memberships
Fill out our Application and bring it with you to our next meeting or contact our Membership Chair to set up a time to meet.
Full-Time Members
The member packet provides all the information needed to join our organization. Once your application is accepted, you are required to attend at least six Morningstar Therapy Dog monthly meetings or functions per year and meet your certifying organization’s visit requirement to maintain your full-time membership. Although we do maintain records of visits you make for our organization, per the Bylaws you are responsible for reporting your visits to your certifying organization.
Associate Members
Even though you may not currently have a certified therapy dog, your participation in our organization is greatly appreciated. Often people who have lost their therapy dog want to continue their involvement in our organization. Although not required, national organizations also offer memberships to help support their efforts such as the Alliance of Therapy Dog’s supporting members membership.
Part-Time Members
We understand that you may want to become a member but may only live in the area part time or your work schedule or a life hardship makes it impossible for you to meet our Full-Time Membership meeting requirements. We value your participation so have established Part-Time Membership for you.
Meeting Time
Morningstar Therapy Dogs meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:45 PM. Locations vary throughout the year so visit our home page to determine the location for the current month’s meeting.