Irish Therapy Dogs

Irish Therapy Dogs is a nationwide voluntary charity that brings the proven therapeutic benefits of canine companionship to residents of care centres across the island. Each week, approved volunteer teams - comprising a dog owner and their trained therapy dog - spend an hour with an assigned care centre, offering gentle interaction, comfort and a boost to wellbeing for the elderly and vulnerable.

The organisation runs two core programmes. The Visiting Programme coordinates the weekly one-hour visits, ensuring that each participating centre receives regular, reliable support from a dedicated volunteer-dog pair. In addition, Irish Therapy Dogs offers pathways for new volunteers, junior involvement and a range of resources such as FAQs to help people understand the impact of animal-assisted therapy. By fostering these connections, the charity creates moments of joy, reduces loneliness and enhances the quality of life for care-home residents throughout Ireland.