Therapy with a wagging tail
and a purpose.

A collaborative resource for facility dog handlers and rehabilitation professionals — explore evidence-informed intervention ideas, share your own, and help patients reach their goals one paw at a time.

A cheerful service dog with a bandana that says 'Canine Companions,' sitting on a paved pathway outdoors with blurred trees, grass, and parked cars in the background.

Facility dogs are more than comfort —
they are clinical partners

Facility dogs are highly trained animals placed with certified handlers in healthcare settings. Their presence does more than lift spirits — it measurably improves patient engagement, reduces pain perception, lowers anxiety, and motivates participation in therapy that might otherwise feel daunting.

This website exists to support the handlers and clinicians who work alongside these remarkable animals, by building a shared library of creative, goal-directed interventions contributed by practitioners just like you.

Start by choosing your rehabilitation discipline, then explore interventions by treatment goal:


Clinical Research on Facility Dogs and Animal-Assisted Interventions

The evidence supporting facility dogs in rehabilitation continues to grow. Explore a selection of peer-reviewed studies examining their impact on patient outcomes, engagement, and recovery.

A dog dressed in a white doctor coat with a name tag and a stethoscope around its neck, sitting on a gray couch.

Have a great intervention idea?

This library grows because handlers and clinicians like you share what works. Submit your own activity — describe the setup, the goals it targets, and any tips for success. Your idea could help a patient in a facility across the country.

A smiling golden retriever service dog sitting on a gray ledge, wearing a blue harness marked 'Canine Companions.' A small yellow toy soccer ball is on the ledge nearby. The background features outdoor seating with metal chairs and tables, large glass windows, and a building with tan siding and green landscaping.