Join us in spreading kindness with therapy dogs in Florida.
Join us in spreading kindness with therapy dogs in Florida.
Kim Rodgers, Hernando County Sheriffs Department
Founded in 2018, Caring K9s is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in sunny Florida, dedicated to making a positive impact through the incredible bond between humans and therapy dogs. We are honored to be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an approved Therapy Dog Organization. Our mission is to spread kindness, comfort, and emotional support to individuals in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, developmental centers, special needs centers, schools, and community centers.
Our specially trained therapy dogs bring unparalleled companionship and therapeutic benefits to those in need, helping to reduce stress, elevate mood, and enhance overall well-being. We believe in the joy and comfort of a wagging tail and a warm nuzzle and are committed to sharing that love throughout our community.
Caring K9s relies on its volunteers to make what we do possible. If you're interested in sponsoring a therapy dog team by making a donation, your support would help us continue to bring smiles and healing to those who need it most. Together, we can make a meaningful difference!
Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to address a wide range of psychological challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and social skills difficulties, while also lifting spirits. Physical interactions with therapy dogs can enhance cardiovascular health, and simply petting them triggers the release of serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin—hormones that naturally boost mood.
Therapy dogs offer additional benefits by providing companionship, comfort, and a pleasant distraction from difficult situations. They can help reduce stress and make people feel more calm, relaxed, and confident.
Caring K9s therapy dogs are specially trained to bring kindness, comfort, and love to individuals in need. They provide support in various settings, including hospitals, hospice centers, nursing homes, retirement homes, schools, libraries, emergency response centers, and even at the scene of traumatic incidents.
Caring K9s currently serves locations in Citrus, Hernando, and surrounding counties. As the organization continues to grow, we welcome inquiries from those who could benefit from their therapy dogs or individuals interested in joining their team. For more information, reach out via email or call 727-514-1347 to share kindness, comfort, and love.
Please reach us at caringk9sfl@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Caring K9s strictly trains dogs for therapy dog work. Therapy dogs provide comfort and emotional support to multiple people. Therapy dogs are only allowed in places where they are invited for therapy purposes; they do not have public access rights.
Service dogs go through extensive and specialized training to assist their handler. They are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities (e.g., guiding visually impaired, alerting to seizures) and fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Each type of animal plays a unique role in supporting humans, but their training, purpose, and legal rights differ significantly.
Yes! Caring K9s is an approved Therapy Dog Organization through the AKC.
Any breed of dog can potentially become a therapy dog, as long as they have the right temperament and meet certain criteria. Here are some key qualities that make a dog suitable for therapy work:
While there are no breed restrictions, some popular therapy dog breeds include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels due to their friendly and adaptable nature. However, mixed breeds and smaller dogs can also excel in this role if they meet the necessary criteria.
If you are considering volunteering and training your dog as a therapy dog, Caring K9s offers a free evaluation for you and your dog. Please message us today and tell us about you and your dog.
Caring K9s therapy dog teams are available to visit schools, libraries, literacy programs, mental health facilities, youth-serving organizations, nursing homes, Hospice facilities, workplace events, community events, and SO much more.
If your event isn’t listed above, that doesn’t mean we can’t visit you. As all of our Caring K9s members are volunteers, we ask that you reach out to us to check our schedule!
Caring K9s is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This means that there is NEVER a cost for any of our visits. Reach out to us today to request a visit.
Yes! We have a comprehensive insurance policy that covers all our Caring K9s therapy dog teams while they are volunteering in your facilities. We can provide a copy of this policy upon request.
Mailing Address: 6252 Commercial Way #185 Weeki Wachee, FL 34613
Mon | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Tue | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Wed | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Thu | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Fri | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
Copyright © 2025 Caring K9s, Org. - All Rights Reserved. Non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
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