Our volunteer teams visit hospitals, schools, libraries, senior communities, campuses and events across Memphis & West Tennessee, one time or on a regular schedule. Some regularly visited locations include the University of Memphis, West Cancer Center, Memphis Public Libraries, Memphis Int’l Airport, Methodist Hospital, and many more!
Where our teams go
Hospitals & clinics
Pediatrics, oncology, rehabilitation and hospice, following each facility’s rules.
Schools & reading
Story time and reading practice with a patient, non-judging listener.
Libraries & campuses
Stress breaks during exam week, like our visits to the University of Memphis library.
Senior living
Nursing homes, assisted living and memory care: regular friends, familiar faces.
Memphis International Airport
A welcome for travelers passing through MEM.
Community & workplace events
Wellness days, family events and special occasions around the region.
What your facility can expect
- Every team is evaluated and certified before it visits. We offer evaluation and certification through Alliance of Therapy Dogs, and we welcome teams registered with other national organizations.
- Our handlers check in and follow your facility’s rules.
- Visits are always optional: people choose whether to say hello.
How to request a visit
- Tell us about it. Use our visit request form. It takes about three minutes.
- We match a team. A volunteer coordinator finds a team suited to your setting and confirms the details with you.
- Visit day. Our team checks in, follows your rules and lets people choose whether to say hello.
- Stay in touch. One time or on a regular schedule, we plan what’s next together.
Memphis International Airport
Our teams have greeted travelers at the gates and in the terminal, from nervous flyers to families seeing someone off. Read about it: Therapy dogs take over Memphis International, Therapy dogs greet, bid farewell to passengers at MEM and the guest post Why do you have a dog at the airport?
Colleges and universities
Exam week is a lot easier with a dog to pet. See our visit to the University of Memphis library and our work with the University of Memphis at the women’s prison.
Hospitals and clinics
Teams visit patients, families and staff in pediatrics, oncology, rehabilitation and hospice settings, always following each facility’s rules. See a WTTD team at Methodist Hospital.
Schools, libraries and reading
Reading to a dog helps children relax and practice. Learn about our reading dogs.
Senior living
Regular visits to nursing homes and assisted living communities, where residents often get to know “their” dog by name.
Community events
From airport send-offs for Snowball Express families to wellness days and special events.