$70 / hrTherapy dog visits
Linda Marsh
5.0(2)Registered therapy dog team
Montclair
Plenty of people in Verona had a dog for most of their lives, then stopped when walking one got hard. A therapy dog visit through Home Happenings brings a calm, certified dog and its handler into the living room for an hour of petting, chatting and maybe a short walk to the corner.
A certified therapy dog and its handler come to you.
$70 / hrTherapy dog visits
Registered therapy dog team
Montclair
$70 / hrTherapy dog visits
Registered therapy dog team
North Caldwell
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The handler arrives with the dog on a leash and lets the dog say hello at the person's pace. Some people want the dog right beside them on the couch (if you are fine with that). Others prefer the dog sitting at their feet. Visits are mostly simple: brushing, a few tricks, a treat or two, and plenty of talk about dogs the person has known.
The handler is always present and stays in charge of the dog the entire time. This is a friendly visit, not a medical service.
Many handlers bring a towel or blanket for the dog to lie on, a brush, and a small bag of treats. Some dogs have a favorite trick, like a high five or a roll over, and it rarely fails to get a smile. There is no plan beyond letting the visit unfold.
Therapy dog visits work well for someone who lights up around animals but cannot keep a pet now. They also suit people who are quieter with new humans. Conversation often comes easier when there is a dog in the room to talk about.
Before booking, check for allergies in the household and let the handler know about any other pets in the home.
Visits can also work for couples. One spouse may be the dog lover while the other enjoys chatting with the handler, and both get something out of the hour.
If the person is up for it, a handler may suggest a short stroll with the dog, on a sidewalk or a few steps along the path at Verona Park. Most visits stay indoors though, especially in winter.
Some families book a visit around a hard week, like a birthday after losing a spouse, and then keep it going on a regular day.
Some dogs come back on the same day every week, and people start to plan around it, setting out a water bowl or saving a story to tell the handler. That small routine is often what families mention first.
Each therapy dog team sets an hourly rate between $50 and $150. Most visits are one hour. There is a $2.50 booking fee and a 10% service fee at checkout. Book a single visit to see how it feels, or a weekly slot. After every visit the handler writes a short note, which family members can read from anywhere.
You can message the handler before booking to ask about the dog's size, breed and temperament. Cancellation is free up to 3 days before the visit.
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.
The dog and handler are a team certified for therapy visits. Profiles list the certification, and it is self-reported unless marked verified. Ask the handler which organization certified them if it matters to you.
Yes. Profiles show the dog, so you can pick a smaller or quieter dog. You can also message the handler first to describe your father and ask how their dog behaves with nervous people.
No. It is a friendly visit with a trained dog and its handler, who is always there. It is not therapy in a medical sense, even though many people find it lifts their mood.
Yes. You book and pay online, message the handler through Home Happenings, and read the handler's note after each visit. Your contact details stay private in messages.
Tell us the activity, who the visit is for, and which days and times work.
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