That sounds like a good idea.Pet therapy is very effective.I think that you do have certified to do this.In America for sure. +5

It doesn't really cost anything per se, that I can recall from when I had working, certified therapy dogs. You may be required to pay a small fee for the Two required tests..I think it was $6.00 or $12.00 about 10 years ago. Your dog has to pass a Canine Good Citizenship test and then be Temperament Tested. Often a local AKC group will sponsor the tests and also provide the Judges who rate and score the dog's performance. The dog must be at least two years old, and may also need to be neutered or spayed, you'll have to check for that. Mine all were already. I believe they may also require proof of current vaccines. Your dog CAN BE tested prior to age two, but therapy dogs must be at least two and it is advised that the dog be retested if it was tested prior to age two. The easiest way is to first locate a local therapy dog group, find out what they require and since it's likely they will want these two tests, they usually can direct you to when, where and who would be conducting the tests in your local area. There may be other types of Certification, but I always got my working dogs Nationally Certified, it just makes things easier in the long run, and also your dog then has the same rules as a Seeing Eye dog with regards to public transportation, restaurants, and stores. I don't know about now, but before 9/11, a Nationally Certified Therapy dog could even ride up in the passenger compartment NOT in a crate and no size restrictions either, with you...as long as you purchased a seat at the going rate for the dog! (Trains, Commercial Airlines and so on.) The dog I currently have is a Search and Rescue dog. Hannah likes people but she does not have the best temperament for Therapy Dog work...she's just a bit too hyper, and horribly (wonderfully for this job) NOSY about everything going on...lol