Bringing comfort, connection, and care to our community
Duo Touch Therapy™ Dogs bring heart and connection wherever they go, offering comfort, calm, and meaningful interaction that encourages engagement, activity, and well-being.
Through the Duo Touch Therapy™ program, volunteers and their personal dogs are trained and certified to visit hospitals, treatment centers, assisted living homes and schools across the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Together, they bring comfort and companionship to patients, residents, students and staff. Their impact may be as simple as brightening someone’s day with a friendly visit or as vital as motivating individuals during therapy sessions. With over 300,000 heartfelt interactions each year, Duo Touch Therapy™ teams make a lasting difference in the community every day.
Duo Touch Therapy™ in the community
The Duo Touch Therapy™ Program began in 1989 in response to the medical community’s growing need for pet-assisted therapy in patient care. Since then, it has brought comfort, connection and joy to countless individuals through the unique bond between people and dogs.
The Duo Touch Therapy™ program trains and certifies dedicated volunteers and their personal dogs to visit hospitals, treatment centers, assisted living homes, hospices, residential facilities, and other community organizations across the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Together, they bring warmth, companionship, and healing to those who need it most.
Duo Touch Therapy™ teams also support local schools and libraries through our Paws for Reading program, which helps students build confidence and excitement for reading by sharing stories with a friendly, attentive dog.
In times of crisis, specially trained Response Teams are ready to offer comfort and emotional support to the community in the aftermath of local tragedies or crises.
Because the program is entirely volunteer-based, there is no cost to the facilities that receive visits from Duo Touch Therapy™ teams.
The benefits of pet-assisted therapy have been well documented and reach across many aspects of human health and well-being:
Touch Therapy benefits
Emotional
Reduces anxiety, provides comfort, lifts mood and inspires smiles.
Physical
Lowers blood pressure and offers motivation and encouragement during physical therapy.
Cognitive
Stimulates memory, enhances reading skills and promotes verbal communication.
Social
Builds self-esteem, encourages interaction and fosters positive change.
About our dogs
At Duo Dogs, every dog is carefully screened before entering the training program to ensure the right temperament, good health and a genuine desire to interact with people. This helps us create safe, positive and meaningful experiences for everyone involved.
Each dog must first pass a temperament evaluation conducted by Duo’s experienced training staff. Once approved, the volunteer handler and dog attend an extensive training course that covers obedience and behavior, situational awareness, patient and team safety and facility etiquette. After completing the program and final evaluation, the handler and dog are certified as a Duo Touch Therapy™ team and matched with a facility partner that best fits their skills, interests, and certification level.
To ensure consistency and connection, every facility works with Duo Dogs to establish a regular visiting schedule. Teams may also choose their preferred facility partner based on location, availability and certification level at graduation.
Additional Touch Therapy™ offerings
Response Teams
Bringing comfort and calm through their dogs, Duo Response teams are called in after a crisis or traumatic event to support those affected.
Paws for Reading
With the encouragement and calming presence of a dog, young readers improve their focus, word recognition and reading comprehension without feeling anxious.
Become a Duo Touch Therapy™ facility
If your organization is interested in becoming a Duo Touch Therapy™ partnering facility, please complete the form below. A Duo Dogs representative will review your request and respond within 7 business days of receipt. If there are any required questions you cannot answer at this time, please indicate that in the form.
Get involved
Want to join the Duo Touch Therapy™ team and make visits with your personal dog? Visit the Volunteer page to learn more about how to become an elite Duo Touch Therapy™ volunteer.