My sister's yorkie and my parents' yorkie both participate in a program through our church called P.A.W.S., or Pets Are Working Saints. Through the PAWS program, pets go through a test to be certified as "therapy" animals. They can go visit nursing homes, hospitals, handicapped children's facilities, etc. However, this does NOT give them a free pass to go to restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Like someone said earlier, they have to be "invited" to come into the establishment to give "therapy." Now, I know the PAWS program is probably different than being certified by some other program, which may allow these "therapy" dogs to enter restaurants, grocery stores, etc.
I think that sharing our pets with others is very rewarding, but not everyone likes dogs or animals as much as we do. Certifying your pet as a "therapy" dog just to be able to take them into restaurants is simply wrong. If your animal does provide you with some sort of therapy and the pet has gone through series of tests and has been certified, then obviously the therapy dog is ligit and should be able to accompany you for therapy. |