For an overview of our Testing Requirements, and what each dog/handler team is tested for, please view our TDI Testing Requirements Brochure.

The test must be conducted by a TDI CERTIFIED EVALUATOR. To find a TDI Evaluator in your area, please refer to the Upcoming Tests area of the website, or use the Evaluator Search Tool on our Evaluators page.

The following policies apply for dog/handler teams interested in taking the TDI Test:

-Dogs must be a minimum of one year old to be tested.

-The dog must be healthy. (Please see our Registration Requirements Page for our Health Requirements)

-The handler must be of good character.

-The minimum age is 12 for handlers who pass the TDI Test without help. Condition: Handlers between 12 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult on visitations and the Registration Form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.

-TDI Associate Members and their dog(s) may not visit, be registered by, or be active under the auspices of another Therapy Dog-related visitation program, organization, or group other than TDI.

-TDI cannot register service dogs.*

-The Evaluation begins as soon as the Evaluator is able to observe you and your dog, not only when you are going through the test requirements as a dog/handler team.

-Potential applicants are NOT required to take any Therapy Dog classes. At the present time, TDI does not offer or sanction any Therapy Dog classes. Even though we do not require formal obedience classes, we recommend at least basic and intermediate obedience classes plus prep classes to expose the dog to working in various types of settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc.

-If a handler wants to visit with more than one dog at a time, all dogs visiting together must be tested at the same time (TDI allows a maximum of 2 dogs to visit together). The team must go through the entire test and work as one unit. All dogs tested together in a multiple dog test must have passed the TDI Test individually first.

*People with disabilities requiring a service dog cannot use the service dog as a therapy dog. However, they can be tested with another dog which is not a service dog. The service dog and the pet dog must go through the testing procedures at the same time.

Rules and Regulations for testing blind (visual impaired) handlers with their pet dogs

A sighted handler accompanying a blind (visually impaired) person on visitations with a TDI certified and registered therapy dog must first be tested and registered with the blind handler's dog.

All dog handler teams where the handler is blind (visually impaired) must at all times while conducting TDI therapy dog visits or while working with their certified, registered dog or while using the skills of the therapy dog be paired with the same sighted handler who had passed the TDI test as a team with the blind (visually impaired) handler and the blind handler's dog.

Reason: Anyone handling a TDI registered therapy dog on a visit must be eligible to be covered by TDI's insurance by meeting all of TDI's requirements. The person accompanying the blind (visually impaired) handler is also bound by HIPPA regulations.

Testing a blind (visually impaired) person and being accompanied by the sighted handler of record:

The blind (visually impaired) person must be able to pass each step of the TDI test. There are some differences as to how the dog has to work while performing the obedience exercises.

A blind (visually impaired) person must at all times be able to feel the dog at least at an arm's length away while the dog is heeling on a loose leash or is riding in a small carriage. This goes for the sit exercise as well. The down exercise can be performed so that the dog touches the handler's feet. The sighted handler at all times should be ready to assist when warranted.

Medium to large dogs should heel close to the handler's leg or knee. The leash must be loose. The level of training of the dog must be so that the handler is also able to control the dog at all times by voice command.

Small dogs should be transported in a small carriage. The handler should be able to pick up the dog if needed for placement with the client.

Reason: This rule is made for safety reasons to avoid tripping over a small dog by the blind (visually impaired) handler while walking in a facility or wherever the visit takes place.

The sighted handler can assist with the stay and recall exercises as well as the leave it exercise.

Small dogs must perform these exercises in the same way as medium or large dogs. They also have to show in a separate exercise at a time of the evaluator's choosing that they are obedient and able to sit and down on command. The sighted handler may assist if necessary.

All TDI associate members must abide by the rules and regulations for visitations of each individual facility.

Please Note:

If the therapy dog is being used by professionals at work all of TDI's Rules and Regulations apply and with the additional rule that the sighted handler must also accompany the blind(visually impaired) person if needed. The responsibility of professional insurance must be carried by the handler. All TDI INSURANCE IS FOR VOLUNTEERS ONLY.

Therapy dogs are not "Seeing Eye Dogs" or "Guide Dogs for the Blind". They do not nor are they required to have the same level of skills.

Different rules for Therapy Dogs apply. The skill level of the Therapy Dog must be so to be able to properly conduct visits at various locations where Therapy Dogs are needed.

The blind (visual impaired) handler may not claim access rights to public accommodations with the Therapy Dog. The law does not give Therapy Dogs any special rights. They are treated as regular pet dogs.

-Testing fees are charged per dog:

1 Dog + 1 Handler = $10.00

1 Dog + 2 Handlers = $10.00

2 Dogs + 1 Handler = $20.00

2 Dogs + 2 Handlers = $20.00

-Multiple handlers may test with the same dog without being charged an additional testing fee for each handler.

-One handler with more than one dog will be charged $10 for each dog they are being tested with as a dog/handler team.

-There is no additional fee for a “Multiple Dog Test” in which one handler is tested with two or more dogs at the same time; however, both dogs must be tested individually prior to a “Multiple Dog Test.”