I have done therapy work with my collies for 17 years. I've belonged to Delta Society and Therapy Dogs International. The advantage to getting certified nationally is that these groups insure you in case there is ever an accident. As the public institutions get more educated about this they eventually will all require some certification for their own protection.

It's a wonderfully rewarding thing to do with your dogs. It's fun to visit all kinds of populations. I've worked with Alzheimer patients, multi-handicapped children, stroke and brain-injured patients, and most recently kids with cancer. Finding what you enjoy the most is important, but it's just as important to find what your dog enjoys, too.

I have a website that explains how to get started in therapy work and lists all the national groups: http://therapydogs.net .