Become a Therapy
Dog Team

Fill Out Our Interest Form

Why Join Dogs With a Purpose?

A woman sitting on the grass petting a golden retriever dog wearing a red vest with a therapy dog patch at an outdoor event.
A man in a police uniform sitting on a wooden bench, holding a coffee cup in his right hand, with a brown dog wearing a bandana sitting on the same bench on his left. They are in a room with white tiled walls and a black sign that reads 'OAKGROVE ELEMENTARY'.
A man wearing a Santa hat is holding a Dalmatian dog dressed in a red jacket, sitting on his lap. They are outdoors near a fountain with a large water tower in the background, under a sunny blue sky.

  • Dogs With a Purpose provides a safe and nurturing environment for you and your dog(s). Our therapy dog teams help each other to get started on visits, share tips, encourage each other, and through it all, become friends and family. 

  • Not only does it give your dog a purpose it also gives the handler a sense of pride and belonging.  Everyone is always happy to see you arrive.  

  • Dogs With A Purpose has an outstanding reputation in the area.  The best compliment we receive is when facilities refer our services to other facilities and organizations. 

  • Dogs With A Purpose provides liability insurance for when you are on a visits. 

  • Dogs With A Purpose was founded in Cary.  Being local we are able to provide great support for our dog handlers by phone, email or in person.  By being local we personally know all of the teams and many friendships have emerged amongst our handlers.  

  • We are able to place teams for visits to all types of organizations, facilities and events.  It’s important to find the right fit.  Since you are sharing your time and your dog, you should be making visits to places meaningful to you. 

Who We Serve

A senior man in a hospital bed with a brown dog wearing a medical shirt and leash, touching noses in a hospital room.

  • Hospitals including Wake Med, UNC and Duke

  • Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care & Senior Day Programs

  • Traumatic Brain Clinic, Physical Therapy & Rehab

  • Pediatric Dentistry 

  • Hospice

A group of five young men and a large dog with a white coat, brown spots, and a red bandana sitting on a wooden deck under a shelter, with a background of trees and a brick building.

  • K-12 Schools

  • Children’s reading programs

  • Universities including NCSU, UNC and Duke

  • Autism schools and clinics

A woman in U.S. Army uniform smiling at the camera while kneeling next to a golden retriever wearing a yellow bandana in an indoor conference room.

  • Military throughout NC

  • First Responders

  • Events with the Carolina Hurricanes and the NC Special Olympics  

  • Various community events

And So Much More!

For More Information and Questions

Interested in Our Program and want to learn more ? Complete the form below and a staff member will reach out to you soon.