$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 Roseland, NJ
For someone who grew up with dogs and can't keep one now, a regular visit from a calm, friendly dog can be the best hour of the week. Home Happenings connects Roseland families with certified therapy dog teams. The handler and dog come to the house together, and the handler stays the whole time.
A certified therapy dog and its handler come to you.
Friendly people serving Roseland
$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
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Ben Adler
NewLoose watercolor landscapes and flowers
Maplewood
Mon · Wed · FriBackground checked
How a visit goes
The handler rings the bell, the dog comes in on a leash, and things go at whatever speed the person wants. Some people want the dog's head on their lap right away. Others prefer to watch for a while first. Handlers are good at reading the room.
A typical hour includes petting and brushing, sometimes a simple trick or two, and a lot of talk about dogs, past and present. People who don't say much often open up when there's a dog to talk about. Handlers usually bring water and a towel for the dog.
Who it suits
Former dog owners, obviously. But also people who live alone and miss having another living thing around, people who've moved into a smaller place where pets aren't practical, and people whose children worry they spend too many days without much to look forward to.
It is not a medical service, and the dogs aren't there to treat anything. It's simply a good visit. If someone is afraid of dogs or has allergies, it's not the right fit, and that's fine.
Families sometimes book a dog visit when a parent has just moved into a smaller place or lost a spouse, and the house feels too quiet. A weekly visit doesn't fix that, and we wouldn't say it does. It does give the week a fixed point: a day when somebody is coming, and a dog who is happy to see you.
Before the first visit
Message the handler first. Tell them about the home: stairs, other pets, a slippery floor, whether the person uses a walker. Ask about the dog's size, since a big dog and a small dog are very different experiences. Some people want a small dog that can sit beside them on the sofa.
Ask the person, too, about the dogs they've had. Plenty of long-time Roseland residents walked a dog out toward Becker Park or the woods along the Livingston line for years. A handler will happily hear every one of those stories. They're half the visit.
Cost and scheduling
Handlers set their own hourly rate between $50 and $150, and visits run 1, 1.5 or 2 hours. An hour is usually right; dogs get tired too. A $2.50 booking fee and a 10% service fee apply at checkout. A weekly visit at the same time gives the person something to count on, and the dog starts to recognize the house.
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.
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Questions seniors and families ask
Is the handler there for the whole therapy dog visit?
Yes, always. The handler and dog are a certified team, and the handler stays in the room for the entire visit. The dog is never left alone with the person. That keeps the visit relaxed and safe for everyone.
What if my mom has a cat?
Mention it when you message the handler. Some dogs are fine around cats and some aren't, and many people simply put the cat in another room for the hour. The handler can tell you how their dog usually behaves around other animals.
Are therapy dog visits a medical treatment?
No. They're a social visit with a trained, certified dog and its handler. Plenty of people find them calming and look forward to them, but they aren't therapy in the medical sense and don't replace anything a doctor recommends.
Can I book a dog visit as a gift for a parent in Roseland?
Yes. You can book and pay online for a single visit or a weekly series, or buy a gift card for any amount from $50. After the visit the handler writes a short note you can read, so you'll hear how it went.
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