Federación Canófila de Puerto Rico^®

What is Terapia Canina de Puerto Rico?

Created in 1991 under the patronage of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, the Terapia Canina de Puerto Rico (canine therapy) program visits organizations and institutions dedicated to the physical and mental health of Puerto Ricans.

Specialized personnel certify canines that meet the requirements and are suitable to be canine therapists. These dogs go through rigorous testing and must pass a basic obedience course to ensure the safety of all the patients they visit. Each participating dog is covered by a liability insurance provided by the Federación Canófila de Puerto Rico.

Who benefits from the program?

Terapia Canina de Puerto Rico offers an extensive range of activities and therapies; for physically healthy individuals who have high levels of stress, the terminally ill, the elderly who suffer from dementia, those with physical or mental handicaps, children with learning disabilities, or those who have been marginalized by society.

Depending on the condition, the program can have one or more beneficial effects on a person's well-being such as:

• Physical (Psychomotor): Improves bodily motor functions, both gross and fine.


• Language (Verbal Expression): Stimulates communication, increasing human interaction.


• Educational (Cognitive): Recognizing concepts like color, size, shape, location. Helps stimulate short and long term memory.


• Socio-affective (Self esteem): Builds the desire and disposition to be involved in group activities and teamwork, increases concentration, helps develop human interaction, improves self-esteem, reduces anxiety and/or feelings of loneliness, and opens up a venue to express affection and feeling.

Terapia Canina de Puerto Rico is sponsored by: