Therapy dogs help people by providing affection, entertainment, and a special kind of acceptance that only an animal can give. A Dog on Call (DOC) team consists of a handler and a canine, usually the handler’s personal pet, which are trained to work with people in a variety of situations as a certified Pet Partner® team. DOC subscribes to the training and evaluation standards of The Delta Society, a nationally recognized, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve human health through service and therapy animals. All Dogs on Call instructors and evaluators are licensed by The Delta Society, and Delta Society membership is a prerequisite for Dogs on Call membership.
        
DOC dogs are acclimated to conditions that may occur in a medical or nursing home environment. They respond appropriately to unusual noises, smells, movement, and emotions. They are accustomed to working next to wheelchairs, walkers, IV hook-ups, oxygen machines and other equipment.
 
Meriter’s dog therapy program started back in 1998 with Lynn Malayter and Murphy, working solely with the Meriter physical therapy department. The Meriter DOG program has now expanded to include over 15 handlers and dogs.  
Meriter DOC volunteers currently visit Physical Therapy, 3 North Rehab Unit, 1 East Adult Psych Unit, ICU, 6 Tower Medical/Pediatrics and the Child and Adolescent Psych Hospital. Teams visit throughout the week and at various times during the day.