$70 / hrTherapy dog visits + 1 more
Helen Fisher
5.0(6)Therapy dog visits with a calm collie
South Orange
Mon · Wed · FriBackground checked
Therapy dog visits at home in Bloomfield, NJ
Some people light up around dogs in a way nothing else matches. If your parent had a dog for years and can't keep one now, a Home Happenings therapy dog visit brings a calm, certified dog to their Bloomfield home, with the handler there the whole time.
A certified therapy dog and its handler come to you.
Friendly people serving Bloomfield
$70 / hr
$95 / hrTherapy dog visits + 1 more
George Harris
4.8(6)Therapy dog visits with Biscuit, plus easy cooking
Glen Ridge
Mon · Wed · FriBackground checked
$55 / hrArt lessons + 1 more
Ben Adler
NewLoose watercolor landscapes and flowers
Maplewood
Mon · Wed · FriBackground checked
For people who miss having a dog
The most common story goes like this: Mom had dogs her whole life, the last one died, and she decided she couldn't take on a puppy at 84. She's right about the puppy. But she still talks to every dog on the block. A weekly visit gives her a dog to look forward to, without the walks at 6 a.m.
Bloomfield is a dog town. There are fenced dog runs at both Brookdale Park and Watsessing Park, and anyone who walks those paths has seen how people stop to chat over the dogs. A visit at home brings a little of that into the living room.
What happens during a visit
The handler comes in with the dog on a leash and lets your parent set the pace. Some people want the dog right up on the couch beside them. Others prefer to sit and toss a treat and talk to the handler about dogs they've known. Both are fine.
Therapy dogs are trained and certified to stay calm around new people, noise and walkers. The handler is always present and keeps an eye on the dog and your parent. This is not a medical service, and a dog doesn't replace anything your parent's doctor recommends.
Some visits include small jobs for your parent: brushing the dog, asking for a sit or a paw, handing over a treat at the end. Having something to do with your hands can make it easier for people who are a little unsure around dogs at first.
Things to sort out before the first visit
Tell the handler, by message, about allergies in the house, other pets, and how steady your parent is on their feet. A big friendly dog can lean, and handlers will pick the right approach. If there's a cat, mention it.
Contact details stay private in messages, which makes it easy to ask the handler what breed the dog is, how big, and what the visit usually looks like before you commit.
Cost and scheduling
Teams set their own hourly rate between $50 and $150. Many therapy dog visits are an hour, which is about right for most dogs and most people. You can book once, four weeks in a row at the same time, or every week until you cancel. After the visit, the handler writes a short note so family who live away can hear how it went.
If the first visit doesn't feel like a fit, that's useful too. Some dogs are bouncy and some are sleepy, and you can message a different team and try again. Cancelling is free up to 3 days ahead.
How visits work
Choose a one hour, 1.5 hour or two hour visit. Each visit adds a $2.50 booking fee and a 10% service fee. You pay when you book. Refunds follow our cancellation policy: free up to 3 days before. Every published professional completes an online search, a real conversation with our team, a signed provider agreement, a criminal background check through a screening vendor and a national sex offender registry check. The home address stays private until a visit is confirmed. Read profiles, compare open times and reviews, then book an open time straight from the calendar. Use Message to discuss your first visit.
Popular activities in Bloomfield
Questions seniors and families ask
Is a therapy dog visit a medical service?
No. It's a visit from a certified therapy dog and its handler for the pleasure of spending time with a well-behaved dog. It doesn't replace any treatment. The handler is always there and stays with the dog the whole time.
What if my father has a dog allergy?
Say so when you message the handler. Some families choose a shorter visit in a room that's easy to clean, and some breeds shed less. If the allergy is serious, it's best to check with his doctor before booking.
Can I book therapy dog visits for my mom from another state?
Yes. You can book and pay online, message the handler about the details, and read the handler's note after each visit. Many families set up a weekly visit and then just read the notes from wherever they live.
How big are the dogs?
It depends on the team. Some therapy dogs are small enough to sit in a lap, others are retrievers or bigger. Each profile describes the dog, and you can ask the handler anything about size and temperament before booking.
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