Therapy Dogs International (TDI) insurance is excess volunteer liability coverage, up to $1 million per incident and $3 million aggregate, included with TDI membership and underwritten by Berkley National Insurance Company. The critical catch: it’s secondary, so your own liability insurance pays first and TDI’s coverage only kicks in afterward. It covers volunteer therapy visits only (not paid or commercial work), in the US only. Important 2026 note: there is significant community concern about TDI’s operational status and reports of renewal and processing delays, so confirm directly and know your alternatives (Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Pet Partners).
Key Facts About Therapy Dogs International Insurance
| Detail | Therapy Dogs International (TDI) Insurance |
|---|---|
| Type of coverage | Excess (secondary) volunteer liability |
| Coverage limits | Up to $1M per incident; $3M aggregate |
| Primary or excess? | Excess, your own insurance pays first |
| Handler must also have | Their own primary liability insurance |
| What it covers | Volunteer therapy visits only, not paid/commercial work |
| Where it’s valid | United States only |
| Underwriter | Berkley National Insurance Company |
| Organization | TDI, a nonprofit founded in New Jersey, 1976 |
| Membership cost | About $45 first year, $30 renewal (+$10/$5 per extra dog) |
| Dog eligibility | At least 1 year old; passes a TDI temperament evaluation |
| 2026 status | Uncertain; reported renewal/processing delays and community concern |
The misunderstanding that could leave a handler exposed
Most people sign up for Therapy Dogs International, read the words “liability insurance included,” and assume they’re fully protected the moment they walk into a hospital with their dog. That assumption is the single biggest mistake handlers make, and it’s worth correcting before you book a single visit.
TDI’s insurance is real and valuable. But it’s excess coverage, not primary. In plain terms: if something goes wrong on a visit and a claim is filed, your own insurance is expected to pay first, and TDI’s coverage only steps in after yours is exhausted. If you don’t carry your own liability coverage, you may have a gap exactly where you thought you were protected. And in 2026, there’s a second thing every handler needs to know: TDI’s own operational status is uncertain, with widespread reports of renewal delays. This guide walks through what TDI actually provides, what’s happening with the organization right now, and what you should put in place yourself.
What is Therapy Dogs International?
A little background. Therapy Dogs International is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization founded in New Jersey in 1976, one of the oldest and best-known therapy-dog registries in the country. Its purpose is to test, register, and regulate therapy dogs and their handlers so they can visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, and care facilities. TDI registers volunteer teams across all 50 states (and historically Canada), and it will register any breed, purebred or mixed, that passes its temperament evaluation.
Crucially, TDI is a registry and volunteer body, not a training school and not a traditional insurance company. The liability coverage it provides is a membership benefit tied to volunteer visits, which is exactly why understanding its limits matters so much.
What happened to Therapy Dogs International? Its status in 2026
This is now the question handlers ask most, so let’s address it honestly. Throughout 2025 and into 2026, there has been significant concern within the therapy-dog community about TDI’s operational status. Handlers have reported difficulty renewing memberships, long processing delays, and trouble reaching the organization, and discussion in handler groups has openly questioned whether TDI is winding down. TDI’s website remains online, but the situation is clearly unsettled.
Here’s what we can and can’t responsibly say. We cannot confirm that TDI has formally closed, nor can we verify the specifics behind searches for a “TDI lawsuit”, we found no authoritative public record confirming a current lawsuit, and we won’t speculate about one. What is well-documented is the renewal and processing disruption and the resulting uncertainty. So our practical guidance is this: if you’re a current TDI member, confirm your coverage and renewal status directly with TDI in writing, don’t assume your insurance is active just because you were a member last year, and have an alternative registry ready in case you can’t renew (see below). If you depend on TDI’s liability coverage for facility access, treat its uncertain status as a reason to verify your protection now, not later.
What does TDI insurance actually cover?
When it’s active, here’s what the coverage provides. TDI membership includes excess volunteer liability insurance of up to $1 million per incident and $3 million in aggregate, underwritten by Berkley National Insurance Company. It’s designed to cover claims arising from your volunteer therapy-dog visits, for example, if your dog were alleged to have caused an injury during a registered visit to a hospital or nursing home.
The key boundaries: it applies to volunteer visits only, not paid or commercial work; it’s valid in the United States only; and it is excess, meaning it sits on top of your own insurance rather than replacing it. That single word, “excess,” is the most important thing on this page.
Why “excess” is the word that matters most
Let’s be precise, because this is where handlers get hurt. Excess (or secondary) coverage only pays after another policy, your primary insurance, has paid up to its limit. TDI’s coverage is structured this way, which means TDI expects you to carry your own primary liability insurance first.
If you have your own coverage (often through a homeowners or renters policy, or a dedicated volunteer/animal liability policy), the system works: your policy responds first, and TDI’s $1M/$3M excess layer sits behind it for catastrophic claims. But if you have no primary coverage of your own, a claim could fall into the gap, your primary layer is empty, so there may be nothing for TDI’s excess coverage to sit on top of in the way intended. The lesson: never treat TDI’s “included insurance” as your only protection. It’s a valuable top-up, not a standalone policy.
What insurance does a therapy-dog handler actually need? (a layered walkthrough)
Because “are you covered?” is more complex than a single yes/no, here’s the layered way to think about your protection as a handler. Work through these in order:
- Your own primary liability coverage. This is the foundation TDI assumes you have. Check whether your homeowners or renters policy includes personal liability that would extend to your dog during volunteer activity (many do, but some exclude certain dog breeds or animal-related claims, read the fine print). If it doesn’t, consider a dedicated volunteer or animal-liability policy.
- TDI’s excess layer. This sits on top of your primary coverage for larger claims, up to $1M/$3M, when your membership is active.
- The facility’s coverage. Hospitals, schools, and care facilities often carry their own liability insurance covering volunteers on their premises. Ask each facility what it provides; it can be an additional layer, but never assume it covers you specifically.
- A gap check. Map a realistic scenario, say, your dog knocks over an elderly visitor who’s injured, and ask: whose policy pays first, how much, and what’s left for the next layer? If any layer is missing or excludes dog claims, that’s your exposure to fix before you visit.
Run this four-layer check once, and you’ll know exactly where you stand, which is something no single registry’s marketing line can tell you.
TDI requirements and what disqualifies a dog
To register with TDI (when processing is active), a dog generally must be at least one year old and pass a TDI temperament evaluation conducted by a certified evaluator, which assesses how the dog reacts to strangers, crowds, medical equipment, sudden noises, and other dogs. TDI registers any breed, purebred or mixed; breed itself is not a barrier.
What disqualifies a dog is behavior and health, not breed: any sign of aggression, excessive fear or anxiety, inability to stay calm and controlled, or failure of the temperament test will disqualify a dog, as can certain health issues or being under the minimum age. Therapy work depends on a reliably gentle, unflappable temperament, so the evaluation is the real gate, not pedigree.
Insurance for therapy dogs in schools
Schools are one of the most common therapy-dog settings (including children’s reading programs), and they raise specific coverage questions. When a registered TDI team volunteers at a school, TDI’s excess liability layer applies to that volunteer visit the same way it would at a hospital. But schools frequently have their own requirements and their own liability insurance, and some ask volunteers to provide proof of coverage or be added as an approved volunteer. The practical steps: confirm your TDI membership and coverage are active, ask the school what insurance or documentation it requires, and verify your own primary liability extends to school visits. If a school runs a formal therapy-dog program, it may carry additional coverage, but get the specifics in writing rather than assuming.
Commercial or paid therapy-dog work needs different insurance
This is a critical distinction. TDI’s coverage is for volunteer visits only. The moment therapy-dog work becomes paid or commercial, for instance, if you’re hired to bring dogs to a corporate event, run a paid therapy program, or operate an animal-assisted therapy business, TDI’s volunteer coverage does not apply. For that, you need commercial general liability insurance (and possibly professional/animal-business coverage), purchased separately through an insurer or broker that handles animal-related businesses. If you’re earning income from therapy-dog activities, don’t rely on a volunteer registry’s coverage; get a proper commercial policy.
Does breed affect therapy-dog eligibility or your insurance?
A common worry, with two separate answers. For TDI registration, no, the organization registers any breed that passes its temperament test, so there’s no “uninsurable breed” for therapy-dog purposes; it’s about behavior, not breed. For your home insurance, however, breed can matter: some homeowners and renters insurers maintain restricted-breed lists (often including breeds like pit bulls, Rottweilers, and a few others) and may exclude or limit liability claims involving those dogs, which is exactly the primary coverage TDI assumes you have. So if you own a restricted-breed dog, the issue isn’t therapy eligibility, it’s making sure your underlying home or renters liability actually covers dog-related claims. If it doesn’t, a dedicated animal-liability policy fills that gap.
Renewing with TDI, or switching registries
Given the 2026 uncertainty, this matters more than usual. If you’re trying to renew with TDI and can’t reach them or your renewal is stuck, document your attempts and don’t assume you’re covered in the meantime. If you can’t renew, the two most established alternative therapy-dog registries in the US are the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) and Pet Partners, both of which register volunteer teams and include their own liability coverage as a membership benefit. Many facilities accept any recognized registry, so switching is usually workable; just confirm your specific facilities accept the new registry before you move. The goal is simple: never let a lapse, or an organization’s administrative troubles, leave you visiting without active coverage.
Where to get a therapy dog (and the training path)
A quick note, since people search this alongside insurance. You don’t “buy” a therapy dog from TDI; TDI registers dogs you already own. Many excellent therapy dogs come from shelters and rescues, the key is temperament, not breed or breeding. The path is typically: adopt or own a calm, social, well-mannered dog at least a year old, complete basic obedience training (and ideally the AKC Canine Good Citizen test), then pass a registry’s temperament evaluation. Therapy dogs are different from service dogs (which are individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability and have legal access rights) and from emotional support animals; therapy dogs provide comfort to others during volunteer visits and don’t have the same public-access rights.
How TDI insurance differs from pet insurance
Worth clearing up, because the two are completely different products. Pet insurance covers your dog’s veterinary bills, illness, injury, and sometimes wellness care. TDI’s liability insurance covers your legal liability if your dog causes injury or damage to someone else during a volunteer visit. One protects your dog’s health; the other protects you from third-party claims. A therapy-dog handler may reasonably want both: pet insurance for the dog’s care, and liability coverage (primary plus TDI’s excess layer) for the visits.
From our coverage analysis: the gap handlers overlook
In reviewing TDI’s published coverage summary against the questions handlers actually ask, one gap comes up again and again: handlers who own their home outright (or rent) and assume their TDI membership is a complete insurance solution. It isn’t, by design. The recurring real-world exposure we see flagged is the handler with no active primary liability policy, relying entirely on an “included” excess layer that was never meant to stand alone. The pattern is almost always a misread of one word, “excess”, rather than any failing of the coverage itself.
The other gap, newly urgent in 2026, is the handler who assumes continuity. With TDI’s renewal and processing reliability in question, the old habit of “I’ve been a member for years, so I’m covered” is exactly the assumption to retire. The single most useful step a handler can take this year is to verify, in writing, that their coverage is active, and to keep a recognized alternative registry in their back pocket. Treat your coverage as something to confirm, not assume.
The Honest Read
Therapy Dogs International’s insurance is a genuine, valuable benefit, $1M/$3M of excess liability coverage is meaningful, but it has never been a complete solution on its own, and in 2026 it comes with an added layer of uncertainty about the organization itself. The honest summary: carry your own primary liability coverage first (check your homeowners or renters policy for dog exclusions), treat TDI’s coverage as the excess layer it is, confirm your membership and coverage are actually active given the reported delays, and keep Alliance of Therapy Dogs or Pet Partners ready as alternatives. For paid work, get a commercial policy instead. Do that, and you can keep doing the meaningful work of therapy visits without a hidden gap in your protection.
Conclusion
Therapy Dogs International insurance is excess volunteer liability coverage (up to $1M/$3M, via Berkley National) that supplements, but does not replace, your own primary liability insurance, and applies to volunteer US visits only. In 2026, with TDI’s operational status uncertain and renewals reportedly delayed, the smartest move is to confirm your coverage directly, carry your own primary policy, and have an alternative registry ready. Understand the layers, verify rather than assume, and your therapy-dog work stays protected.
FAQs
Is Therapy Dogs International still in business?
TDI’s website remains online, but its operational status is uncertain in 2026, with widespread reports of renewal and processing delays and community concern about whether it’s winding down. We can’t confirm a formal closure. Verify your status directly with TDI and keep an alternative registry ready.
What happened to Therapy Dogs International?
Throughout 2025–2026, handlers have reported difficulty renewing, processing delays, and trouble reaching TDI, prompting community discussion about its future. We found no authoritative confirmation of a closure or a specific lawsuit, so we won’t speculate, but the disruption is well-documented. Confirm your coverage directly.
Is there a Therapy Dogs International lawsuit?
Searches mention this, but we found no verified public record of a specific current lawsuit against TDI and won’t speculate about unconfirmed claims. If you’re researching it, check court records or reputable news directly. What’s documented is renewal/processing disruption, not a confirmed legal case.
Can insurance cover a therapy dog?
Yes. TDI membership includes excess liability coverage (up to $1M/$3M) for volunteer visits, and registries like Alliance of Therapy Dogs and Pet Partners include their own. But this is liability coverage (protecting you from third-party claims), not pet health insurance, and it’s excess, so carry your own primary policy too.
Does TDI insurance pay first or second?
Second. TDI’s coverage is excess, meaning your own primary liability insurance pays first and TDI’s layer applies afterward, up to $1M/$3M. That’s why TDI expects handlers to carry their own primary coverage; the TDI benefit is a top-up, not a standalone policy.
What insurance does a therapy-dog handler need?
Ideally three layers: your own primary liability (often via homeowners/renters, if it doesn’t exclude dogs), TDI’s excess layer on top, and awareness of the facility’s own coverage. Check that your primary policy actually covers dog-related claims, since some exclude certain breeds.
What are the requirements to be a TDI therapy dog?
Generally, the dog must be at least one year old and pass a TDI temperament evaluation by a certified evaluator (testing reactions to strangers, crowds, equipment, and noise). TDI registers any breed. Basic obedience and good manners are expected.
What disqualifies a dog from being a therapy dog?
Any aggression, excessive fear or anxiety, inability to stay calm and controlled, or failing the temperament evaluation, plus being under the minimum age or having disqualifying health issues. It’s about behavior and temperament, not breed.
Is there insurance for therapy dogs in schools?
Yes, TDI’s excess liability applies to registered volunteer school visits the same as other settings, and schools often carry their own volunteer liability coverage. Confirm your TDI coverage is active, ask the school what documentation or insurance it requires, and verify your primary policy extends to school visits.
Can I get commercial therapy dog insurance for paid work?
Yes, but not through TDI. TDI covers volunteer visits only. Paid or commercial therapy-dog work (events, paid programs, animal-assisted therapy businesses) requires separate commercial general liability insurance from an insurer or broker that handles animal-related businesses.
What breed of dog is uninsurable?
No breed is “uninsurable” for therapy work, TDI registers any breed that passes its temperament test. The breed issue arises with home insurance: some homeowners/renters insurers restrict certain breeds (like pit bulls or Rottweilers) for liability claims, which can affect the primary coverage TDI assumes you carry.
What dog breeds make your insurance go up?
For therapy registration, none. For homeowners or renters insurance, some insurers charge more, restrict, or exclude breeds they consider higher-risk (often including pit bull-type dogs, Rottweilers, and a few others). If you own one, confirm your liability policy covers dog-related claims or add a dedicated animal-liability policy.
How much does TDI membership cost?
Historically about $45 for the first year and $30 to renew, with roughly $10 for each additional dog to join and $5 to renew, though you should confirm current pricing directly, especially given 2026 processing uncertainty.
What are the alternatives to Therapy Dogs International?
The two most established US alternatives are the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) and Pet Partners, both of which register volunteer therapy teams and include liability coverage with membership. Confirm your facilities accept the registry before switching.
Is TDI insurance the same as pet insurance?
No. Pet insurance covers your dog’s veterinary care; TDI’s coverage is liability insurance protecting you if your dog injures someone or damages property during a volunteer visit. Many handlers want both, for different reasons.
Where do I get a therapy dog?
You don’t buy one from TDI; TDI registers a dog you already own. Many great therapy dogs come from shelters, temperament matters most. Adopt a calm, social, well-mannered dog at least a year old, do basic obedience (ideally the AKC Canine Good Citizen), then pass a registry’s evaluation.
What is the best dog for ADHD or autism?
This is a different topic from therapy-dog insurance and depends on the individual and whether you need a therapy dog, an emotional support animal, or a trained service dog. Calm, gentle breeds like Labrador and Golden Retrievers and Poodles are often cited, but temperament and proper training matter far more than breed.
What are the allegations against Cesar Millan?
This question is unrelated to therapy-dog insurance or TDI. Cesar Millan is a well-known TV dog trainer whose dominance-based methods have drawn criticism from some trainers and welfare advocates over the years. For therapy-dog work, what matters is a calm temperament built through positive-reinforcement training, not any single TV trainer’s approach. For specifics, consult reputable news sources directly.
About the Editorial Team
The InsuranceGuidances Editorial Team covers specialist and liability insurance topics, including volunteer and animal-related coverage. We base our guides on organizations’ own published rules and coverage summaries plus independent reporting, distinguish primary from excess coverage clearly, flag uncertainty honestly rather than guessing, and direct readers to verify time-sensitive details (like TDI’s 2026 status) directly with the source.
Reviewed June 2026 ·
Sources
Handler community discussion (Facebook therapy-dog groups) — 2025–2026 reports of TDI renewal/processing delays and concern about status (illustrative of community sentiment, not an official source): https://www.facebook.com/groups/808797610675172/
Therapy Dogs International — official site, rules, regulations, and membership/coverage summary (status, history, registration): http://www.tdi-dog.org/
ServiceDogs.com — What Is Therapy Dogs International (membership cost $45/$30, any breed, registration overview): https://www.servicedogs.com/therapy-dogs-international/
The Org — Therapy Dogs International (TDI) organization profile (volunteer registry, all 50 states + Canada): https://theorg.com/org/therapy-dogs-international-tdi
Justia Trademarks — Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (nonprofit, NJ-based, testing/certification of therapy dogs): https://trademarks.justia.com/owners/therapy-dogs-international-inc-2455992
Alliance of Therapy Dogs — alternative US therapy-dog registry with membership liability coverage: https://www.therapydogs.com/
Pet Partners — alternative US therapy-animal registry with membership liability coverage: https://petpartners.org/
Berkley National Insurance Company — underwriter background (W. R. Berkley): https://www.berkleynational.com/
