What Happens on a Visit?

Getting Ready

Preparation for Roxy™ therapy visits begins before we go to any location. Our therapy dogs are always well-groomed to ensure they look and smell clean and are safe to touch. Our dogs wear recognizable orange Roxy bandanas. When dogs put on their Roxy "uniform," it lets them know that they are “working.” Handlers also wear ID badges.

It's All About the Child

Roxy™ Therapy Dog teams’ first priority is to make the child feel comfortable. Upon meeting, we want to ensure that the child would like to have a visit with the dog.

If the child is agreeable, then we modify the environment to maximize and facilitate interaction. In some cases, we have books or toys as part of the visit, and in others, it’s just the dog.

We never ask personal or medical questions. The conversation is focused on the therapy dog and the child’s experiences with dogs, other pets or animals, or even favorite stuffed animals. Often children will ask about the therapy dog. The usual questions are, “How old is the dog?” “What kind of dog is she?” “Is she a boy or a girl?” and “Is she your dog?”

Providing a Happy, Comforting Visit

Our therapy dogs love people and are privileged to have the opportunity to make new friends. During the visit, the handler makes sure their therapy dog is calm and controlled throughout every interaction.

In many settings, our dogs also give comfort and support to the adults who are present, including teachers, healthcare workers, family members, lawyers, judges, and facility staff.  

Knowing When to Say Goodbye

An important part of every interaction is understanding when to end a visit. When a child says thank you, closes his or her eyes, or seems tired or wants to do something else, we know it’s time to bring the magic elsewhere.

It is also important to recognize signals that our dogs are becoming tired or disengaged. In order to make sure our dogs do not grow impatient or distracted, visits are typically kept to an hour or less, regardless of the setting.

Learn about Roxy’s Programs ➜

Learn about the human-canine connection ➜