Therapy Dog Teams

Intermountain Therapy Animals Affiliate

Dog-Harmony is an affiliate of Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA) and a provider of therapy dog teams in Bay, Walton, and Okaloosa Counties in northwest Florida.

Dog-Harmony evaluates each therapy team to determine how they can best give back to their community. We are the liaison between a facility and the dog therapy teams. We have developed successful programs in three area hospitals and have continued to work with area nonprofits and at-risk youth.

Dog-Harmony provides ongoing training and support to these teams, thereby increasing volunteer retention. We handle the scheduling, logistics, safety, risk management, and volunteer recruitment.

By implementing these best practices, Dog-Harmony ensures that therapy dog teams operate smoothly, deliver impactful services, and sustain their efforts for the long term.

Steps to Becoming a Therapy Dog Team

Dog-Harmony offers therapy dog team testing three times a year. The next evaluation will take plan in January 2026.

Therapy dogs must have the ability to pass the Canine Good Citizen test before evaluation. All candidates must be friendly toward humans and dogs.

Candidates must also read, understand, and follow ITA’s Teaching and Training Philosophy.

R.E.A.D.ing Paws Program

Dog-Harmony is proud to be part of the R.E.A.D.ing Paws program—an initiative designed to help children build confidence and improve their reading skills with the help of trained therapy dogs and their handlers. Through READing Paws, Dog-Harmony continues its mission to strengthen the human–animal bond while helping children discover the joy of reading—one wag and one word at a time.

R.E.A.D.® stands for Reading Education Assistance Dogs. Once a therapy dog team is evaluated, the R.E.A.D.ing Paws workshop is available for appropriate teams interested in literacy work. Dog-Harmony coordinates and supports READing Paws programs throughout Bay, Walton, and Okaloosa Counties, making reading a tail-wagging experience for young learners and their furry friends alike.

Our evaluated therapy dog teams visit schools, libraries, and community centers across Northwest Florida, offering children a calm, supportive space to practice reading aloud to a friendly, nonjudgmental listener. These sessions help kids grow more confident, fluent, and excited about reading—all while forming a meaningful connection with a therapy dog.

Every participating READing Paws team is nationally registered and fully qualified, ensuring the highest standards of safety, training, and temperament. Each volunteer team is insured and also completes a national background check to protect the children we serve.

Don’t Have a Dog?

That’s OK! We always need compassionate volunteers to help coordinate therapy dog visits and support our teams in the community. This is also a great opportunity to shadow current therapy dog teams and decide if it’s a volunteer role you might like to try with a future dog. If you’d like to get involved, please contact us — we’d love to hear from you!