The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy) header
The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy) profile picture

The Good Dog Foundation

@GoodDogTherapy

The Good Dog Foundation provides therapy dog services to people in need in health care, social service, educational and community facilities.

 NY, CT, NJ
TheGoodDogFoundation.org/Social
Joined March 2011
  • Tweets1.9K
  • Following126
  • Followers1.7K
978Media
Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)Photo by The Good Dog Foundation (@GoodDogTherapy)
Help us fill our upcoming therapy dog classes, starting in September! 🐶🍁 Apply to volunteer today: thegooddogfoundation.org/vol…. Pre-screen evaluations are being scheduled now through August in preparation for classes, each class is four weeks: Wednesday, September 9 - Hudson Valley’s Claverack Class. Thursday, September 10 - Brooklyn's Gowans Class. Sunday, September 13 - Manhattan's West Village Class. Tuesday, September 15 - Westchester's Purchase Class. Sunday, September 20 - Manhattan’s Upper West Side Class. Sunday, September 27 - Jersey City’s Class.
Close up of a black dog with gray around mouth. Mouth is open with face looking directly at camera. Dog wears a blue and orange bandana.

ALT Close up of a black dog with gray around mouth. Mouth is open with face looking directly at camera. Dog wears a blue and orange bandana.

1
175
Thank you to the @BKLYNlibrary for hosting us and Muddy Paws Rescue NYC for their recent event with Isabel Klee, SimonSits! 🐶
Outdoor photo of a small brown and white dog and a white woman with brown hair wearing a dark red burgundy long sleeve outfit squatting down with hands on dog. The background is a sidewalk with black metal fencing.

ALT Outdoor photo of a small brown and white dog and a white woman with brown hair wearing a dark red burgundy long sleeve outfit squatting down with hands on dog. The background is a sidewalk with black metal fencing.

1
22
We are excited to be part of the inaugural Highlands Charity Challenge, Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11! You can support us by making a donation of any amount and each donation counts as one vote toward the People's Choice prize of over $5K: tinyurl.com/HCCGoodDog2026. #HCCGoodDog
Graphic with two horses with two riders outside on top. Bottom red text in all caps “HIGHLANDS CHARITY CHALLENGE”, below white text in all caps on black background, “THE GOOD DOG FOUNDATION”. White text on black background “Attend. Donate. Support Our Community! Join us at Highlands on October 11 and help The Good Dog Foundation win a piece of the $15K charity pool. An ampersand-like logo with white text “HIGHLANDS" underneath. Bottom left black text in all caps on white background, “Free Admission” and bottom right “217 Depot Hill Road Amenia, NY”.

ALT Graphic with two horses with two riders outside on top. Bottom red text in all caps “HIGHLANDS CHARITY CHALLENGE”, below white text in all caps on black background, “THE GOOD DOG FOUNDATION”. White text on black background “Attend. Donate. Support Our Community! Join us at Highlands on October 11 and help The Good Dog Foundation win a piece of the $15K charity pool. An ampersand-like logo with white text “HIGHLANDS" underneath. Bottom left black text in all caps on white background, “Free Admission” and bottom right “217 Depot Hill Road Amenia, NY”.

19
In September, we marked the 25th Anniversary of September 11 with the Good Dog Dispatch featuring Good Dog Saffy: "A Dog, A Hospital and a Twist of Fate" tinyurl.com/GoodDogDispatch-…. Before Good Dog Saffy could start her therapy dog job, one piece of paperwork was needed.
Large brown dog sits on grey and beige carpet. The dog wears an orange blue-lined bandana which has a plain white badge clipped to it. Lease is blue and orange. Background is dark multi-colored tiles with a green plant in top right.

ALT Large brown dog sits on grey and beige carpet. The dog wears an orange blue-lined bandana which has a plain white badge clipped to it. Lease is blue and orange. Background is dark multi-colored tiles with a green plant in top right.

1
27
Thank you, Gabriela, for sharing your day in the life of a therapy dog team with Good Dog Benny! 💙 Transcript: A day in my life as a dog therapy team. I ask Benny if he wants to go see his people. He knows it's time to go to work; put his bandana on. After his bandana, I get his badge, clip it on. Benny knows it's time for work. Here we are, he hops in the car; boom, treat. Off we go. Benny and I: Benny likes to come in the front and cuddle. Next, we arrive at the hospital. Benny walks in; fix his badge, so he looks nice and professional. Continues to walk, we go by the fish tank. Then he's greeted by the security guard. We go in to see the staff. Everyone's so happy to see Benny and look at that tail wagging. Benny's so happy to see everyone. Gives kisses, hugs, takes all the scratchies. He's a little ham, my guy. Oh, goes to see his favorite person, Nicole, ‘I love you’. Benny's so happy to see everyone. Then we proceed in the hallway and walk to the surgery center, where Benny attends to his patients, always with love and a smile. Off to our regular patients' rooms, where everyone's so happy to see Benny, and Benny is so happy to see them. Then it's time for us to go, by the fish tank, exit the hospital. Night, night. Benny cuddles with his ducky. Bye!
1
72
On this 25th anniversary, Good Dog remembers all those lost on September 11, the surviving family members, survivors and dog heroes. Sharing from Rachel McPherson, Good Dog’s Founding President and Chief Science Officer, who was there with her Good Dog Fidel, a Papillon: We took Fidel with other Good Dog therapy teams to the site with the families. You could see that none of the family members really wanted to speak to a psychologist or a person of faith. Those people were all on this boat with us taking the families to the site. But they only wanted to work with the therapy dogs because they said they didn't want to speak to anyone. ❤️ They just wanted to hold therapy dogs. 🤍 And what we noticed is that Fidel and the other Good Dog therapy teams were really the first breakthrough to all those family members about their trauma and their pain, and they began to open up to the therapy dogs. They were comfortable with the therapy dogs because they just didn't want to deal with any human interaction. 💙 2001 📷: Rachel and Good Dog Fidel with Police Officer Alfred Castagna.
1
37
Meet Cece, the Havanese NYC therapy dog has become a beloved fixture of Harvey Milk High School – and was even a runner-up for prom queen: thegooddogfoundation.org/blo…. 🐾 In the latest Good Dog Dispatch, Laura Kaufmann, her human family partner and handler, shares “Her photo has been up in the hallway for years, but we really knew Cece was woven into the fabric of Harvey Milk when she was invited to the prom and was voted second runner-up for prom queen!”
A small dog with black, dark gray, and white fur sitting outside on a green metal-like chair. Dog wears blue orange-lined bandana with circular patch on right.

ALT A small dog with black, dark gray, and white fur sitting outside on a green metal-like chair. Dog wears blue orange-lined bandana with circular patch on right.

1
82
#InternationalDogDay remembering all our furever therapy dog volunteers, including Good Dog Chula! 🌈🐾 Sharing from Vanessa, “For 12 incredible years, Chula shared her gift through The Good Dog Foundation. Inspired by Max Bassett, she comforted strangers, eased anxiety, sparked smiles & gave out literally thousands of fist pumps to everyone she met—her signature move and her way of saying ‘you’ve got this.’ The lives she touched are countless. Even during the hardest COVID months, Chula’s light still shone through. She was proudly featured in The Good Dog Foundation calendar in 2022, a beautiful reminder that even in isolation and uncertainty, her comfort and presence continued to reach people who needed her most. She was ‘Miss May!’” 📷: Being in health care throughout COVID was hard and very stressful. With nursing shortages everywhere, Chula made it all worth it.
White woman wearing blue face mask and black long sleeve shirt holds small gray dog wearing orange and blue bandana.

ALT White woman wearing blue face mask and black long sleeve shirt holds small gray dog wearing orange and blue bandana.

3
55
Thank you to Team Chicken who was featured in the West Side Rag on this day in 2022 for their therapy dog volunteering: westsiderag.com/2022/08/25/t…! 🐾 From Ellen, “I really hope that many, many people—and dogs—are interested in doing this because it’s so fulfilling. It’s so heart opening. It’s so magical. I’ve sat with people who I’ve just met, who are stroking a dog—just kind of in the zone—and they start pouring their hearts out.” 💙
A small black dog laying on back while being petted by two hands. Hands are white skin, with one showing purple sleeve. The dog wears an orange and blue bandana, on top of a tan fuzzy blanket.

ALT A small black dog laying on back while being petted by two hands. Hands are white skin, with one showing purple sleeve. The dog wears an orange and blue bandana, on top of a tan fuzzy blanket.

1
32
Thank you to Courtney and @BirdieTheGoodDog for all the good you do! 💙 Join our volunteers serving the NYC Metro Area: thegooddogfoundation.org/vol…! Transcript: When I found the Good Dog Foundation, I was so impressed by the work that they do and how welcoming they are as an organization. And it's not that they made it easy for Birdie to be a therapy dog, but they made me feel confident in what he could do. And the kids come in a little groggy. But the second they see Birdie, they light up, and many of them don't live with pets in their home. Some of them do, but many of them don't. And so Birdie's not just a dog. I mean, you know, he's 130 pounds of dog, so he can be intimidating as an idea, but he's also a Muppet. And I had this one kid, really slowly over time, just got closer and closer, and now he's the kid that when he comes in, he doesn't even really see me. He only sees Birdie, and he doesn't just pet Birdie; he like lays down and uses Birdie as a giant body pillow. And watching that transformation, and Birdie is so excited to see this kid and like recognizes him now. You know, like in particular, this kid and the evolution of that relationship is exactly why I do this and why I'm so grateful for Birdie and what he can do.
1
44
Thank you for a wonderful July filled with love from our therapy dogs! 💙 Thank you to our volunteers and Good Dogs by order of appearance: Lumi, Buttercup, Boola, Bloo, Truffles RIP, Ollie, Wave, Lula, Milo, Ella, Cinnamon, Marshall, Kenji, and Zoe.

July with Good Dog!

Good Dog trains, certifies and deploys volunteers and their therapy dogs to help people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes and other facilities throughout the NYC Metro Area. 🐶

30
Thank you for a wonderful July filled with love from our therapy dogs! 💙 Thank you to our volunteers and Good Dogs by order of appearance: Lumi, Buttercup, Boola, Bloo, Truffles RIP, Ollie, Wave, Lula, Milo, Ella, Cinnamon, Marshall, Kenji, and Zoe.

July with Good Dog!

Good Dog trains, certifies and deploys volunteers and their therapy dogs to help people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes and other facilities throughout the NYC Metro Area. 🐶

1
32
Thank you for a wonderful July filled with love from our therapy dogs! 💙 Thank you to our volunteers and Good Dogs by order of appearance: Lumi, Buttercup, Boola, Bloo, Truffles RIP, Ollie, Wave, Lula, Milo, Ella, Cinnamon, Marshall, Kenji, and Zoe.

July with Good Dog!

Good Dog trains, certifies and deploys Volunteers and their therapy dogs to help people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes and other facilities throughout the NYC Metro Area. 🐶

1
39
The many looks of Good Dog Augie! 💙 She loves everyone! She’s a Pittie mix who was neglected at her first home and removed. Now in a loving new home, she spends time with a Chihuahua mix and cat, as well as many foster dogs over the years. At the park you’ll find her watching “Squirrel TV”! 🌳 Join Team Augie in therapy dog volunteering in the NYC Metro Area: thegooddogfoundation.org/vol…!
1
97
Remembering our furever volunteer, Good Dog Truffles! 💙🌈 While Team Truffles volunteered prior to COVID, during COVID Truffles was Catherine’s "assistant" and students constantly asked to spend more time with Truffles at the end of Zoom lessons. From volunteer Catherine, “I am forever grateful for that in a way words cannot express. I am also so grateful for The Good Dog Foundation and all of the love we’ve received over the years ever since we met your team in 2013... our visits in her little bandanna were so deeply meaningful and fulfilling to us.”
Brown dog with gray around nose looks directly at camera while being held. Foreground has a hand with ring and red nail polish. The background is dark brown.

ALT Brown dog with gray around nose looks directly at camera while being held. Foreground has a hand with ring and red nail polish. The background is dark brown.

1
27
Thank you Edith and CJ for bringing love to patients. You are Good Dog Therapy! 💙 Edith shares they “...had one patient stop pushing the button for medication, because the way CJ was, it just made her immediately stop feeling any pain.” → Apply to join: thegooddogfoundation.org/vol…!

Good Dog CJ

1
21
Throwback to some Spring highlights with Good Dog! 💙 Thank you to our volunteer teams, by order of appearance Good Dogs Marshall, Birdie, Disco Stu, Bruno, Gladys, Ollie, Mozzie, Louie, Luna, Marlie, Wave, Boola, Cinnamon and Ella. 🐶 Interested in joining? Check out our therapy dog certification program for the NYC Metro Area: tinyurl.com/nhz84du3!
1
105
Big congrats to our latest graduates! Next each grad will have their trial Shadow Visit with the goal of passing so they can start volunteering and become Good Dog certified! 💙 Is your dog a Good Dog? Start your therapy dog journey in the NYC Metro Area: thegooddogfoundation.org/vol…! 📸: Cody, Frankie, Huck and Loki!
Large light colored dog is sitting wearing an orange bandana with blue Good Dog logo patch. Dog wears a black graduation cap with tassel to photo right; blue leash on right.

ALT Large light colored dog is sitting wearing an orange bandana with blue Good Dog logo patch. Dog wears a black graduation cap with tassel to photo right; blue leash on right.

Small black dog is sitting wearing an orange bandana with blue Good Dog logo patch. Dog wears a black graduation cap with tassel to photo left; black leash in center bottom.

ALT Small black dog is sitting wearing an orange bandana with blue Good Dog logo patch. Dog wears a black graduation cap with tassel to photo left; black leash in center bottom.

Large light colored dog is laying down wearing an orange bandana with blue Good Dog logo patch. Red leash in center front.

ALT Large light colored dog is laying down wearing an orange bandana with blue Good Dog logo patch. Red leash in center front.

Medium size black dog is sitting wearing an orange bandana with blue Good Dog logo patch. Dog wears a black graduation cap with tassel to photo right.

ALT Medium size black dog is sitting wearing an orange bandana with blue Good Dog logo patch. Dog wears a black graduation cap with tassel to photo right.

2
28
Support therapy dogs like Good Dog Varsity: TheGoodDogFoundation.org/Giv…! Sharing from Varsity’s mom Rebecca who has been volunteering for two years, “It's incredible to watch the calm wash over hospital patients, staff, and visitors when they meet Varsity and the joy she brings to library patrons. Here's to the next thousand connections!” 💙
Large beige dog laying down on a multi-colored mat. Dog wears an orange blue-lined bandana. Next to dog a child has a book open on lap with finger pointing at the book.

ALT Large beige dog laying down on a multi-colored mat. Dog wears an orange blue-lined bandana. Next to dog a child has a book open on lap with finger pointing at the book.

19
Meet Team Benny! 💙 Sharing from Gabriela, “The amount of love 💕 Benny has to give is immense. Each visit is a gift, for us and ‘our people’. Being able to share this sweet guy with people who are healing is the most gratifying feeling. I am so lucky to assist Benny on his journey.” Start your therapy dog journey in the NYC Metro Area: thegooddogfoundation.org/vol…!
1
41
Load more