Have NCTD Visit Your Facility

NCTD is currently visiting facilities throughout the Baltimore/Washington D.C. Area.  View NCTD's List of Current Facilities.

Why Choose NCTD?

• NCTD uses the Delta Society Pet Partners program, a nationally recognized standard for training and screeening therapy handler/animal teams, as well as a standard for visiting. This program requires both handlers and animals to receive training. Screenings reflect the performance of both handler and animal.
• NCTD offers Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) services as well as Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) services. AAT services include assisting with client rehabilitation when working with facility therapists.
• All NCTD teams follow NCTD Policies and Procedures.
• By visiting as a group at NCTD facilities, NCTD works with facility staff to match clients with the most appropriate teams.
• NCTD goes beyond the Pet Partners program, requiring all volunteers to attend additional training at least annually.
• Both NCTD handlers and animals wear NCTD uniforms on visits. This allows facility staff and clients to quickly identify our teams as therapy teams.
• NCTD's Canine-Assisted Reading Education (CARE) program helps children improve their reading skills by reading to animals.
• All NCTD teams, as Pet Partners, carry $1 million supplemental liability insurance.

Facility Requirements

We always consider new, high quality facilities to start new programs.  While there are no absolute requirements, things we look for in a potential facility include:

• Location 
• Type of Population
• Staff Support
• Cleanliness 
• Accessibility
• NCTD Team Schedule and Availability

Becoming an NCTD Facility

If you think your facility could benefit from our program...

STEP 1: Complete and submit an NCTD Facility Profile Form. This will allow us to get to know you and your facility.

STEP 2: We will get in touch with you in a timely manner for follow-up.  In general, we will conduct an over-the-phone survey to discuss profile information, and, if appropriate, follow up with an on-site survey.  Depending on the outcome of these surveys, and after determining NCTD team availability, we may:

• Begin visiting immediately.
• Visit for a "trial" period to see how well the visits go.
• Say "no" initially, but plan to follow up at a later date.

STEP 3: Prior to visiting, we ask all new facilities to sign a Facility Agreement.  View Sample Agreement.

Please refer to NCTD's Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.  If you still have questions, Contact Us.