The Alliance of Therapy Dogs was formed in 1990 by Jack and Ann Butrick of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Since then, they have grown into an organization of more than 11,000 dog/handler teams with members in United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and US Territories. They have all breeds of dogs.

Therapy dogs visit schools, hospitals, nursing homes, libraries and businesses. Activities during the visits include walking from room to room, visiting with residents, performing a little show involving tricks, skits or obedience routines, being held or petting the dog. Their presence is sometimes just gratifying by allowing people to briefly forget their problems while interacting with the dogs.