The Good Dog Foundation

I agree with the other reviewers — the 6 classes to be certified were helpful and worthwhile, but getting placed is another story. Most volunteer opportunities are during the day so difficult for those that work 9 – 5 jobs, and the majority of emails sent to the coordinator to be placed go unanswered. Perhaps they are understaffed like many nonprofits but it is inexcusable considering people pay hundreds of dollars to participate on a regular basis. Since October I’ve gone on one visit, which was wonderful and led by a terrific trainer, so hopefully they get their administrative operations figured out. Bottom line: I wish I’d looked into other dog therapy programs.

The classes were good, but getting placed… not easy.

Certify with Pet Partners instead (formerly Delta). Good Dog is very politically oriented and this should be an organization that is only interested in serving the public that needs us. My dog and I volunteered with Good Dog for many years. My dog, Chia, became afflicted with a vertebral condition that affected her limbs and she could no longer walk as quickly or well on smooth hospital floors. Her cheerful personality was intact and I carried her into the hospital and room to room where she got in bed with the children bringing much joy to them and their families. When time came for her next re-​registration, we were denied with the excuse, your dog needs to be able to walk into the hospital. Not sure where that’s written in the by-​laws. When Pet Partners learned of this injustice, they welcomed us with open arms in a heartbeat; Chia passed all of the tests with flying colors and continued to bring joy. It was Good Dog’s political and petty decision not to renew Chia’s certification. Very ugly decision that they tried to keep her away from the patients, their families and the hospital staff that adored her for so many years. We beat them. You should too.

My dog and I have been volunteering through the Good Dog Foundation for the past two years and I highly recommend them. They have relationships with many different types of facilities so you can find a visit that meets your interest and availability. My regular visits include hospice and a Veterans hospital. I have participated in ad hoc visits to universities and disaster response. The GDF prepared me well.
The visits are what you make of them.

I signed my dog up for this organization because I thought he’d be a great fit for cheering people up. Good Dog were very happy to take my $ 300 for the six week training program and insurance — and it was a fun class, no doubt — but way less helpful when it came to actually placing my dog in a facility where he was wanted (in the first retirement home we went to, next to no one wanted a visit from him; in the second, we were told that the residents were afraid of dogs. Well then, why tell me to contact them and go there?) I’m hoping someone from this org will read this and respond, because at the moment (I’ve reached out again about finding a facility, and been blown off) I’m tempted to say it’s a bit of a scam.