Insurance for Therapy Dogs

[charlotte bednarsh]

Hi All

Paz is a registered Pet Parter therapy dog who accompanies me to work, where he provides support for children who have witnessed domestic violence.  Because he is providing support where I am employed, he is not covered by the Pet Partner liability insurance.  I have Paz covered under my homeowner's liability insurance, but am wondering if anyone has suggestions regarding other insurance coverage for therapy dogs that are accompanying their handlers to their places of employment.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Do you mean insurance in case Paz injured someone?

[charlotte bednarsh]

yes, the liability insurance would cover if Paz hurt anyone, which is the coverage provided by Pet Partners when he is volunteering at places other than where I am employed.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It's all so convuluted. Sorry I have no suggestions.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Finnegan has coverage through Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs for when we are volunteering.  That's one of the reasons I wanted to get him certified.  Sorry I can't be of much help either.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I think I had heard that the therapy dog at our local school, who is certified thru Therapy Dogs International, is not covered by TDI when she is at the school, but the school's insurance would cover her. So, maybe your employer's insurance covers PAZ?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Ginny -- Is the dog not covered because it is an employee of the school that brings the dog?  Otherwise I don't understand why it wouldn't be covered by TDI.  Just curious.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Charlotte -- If it were me I guess if I didn't want it covered by my homeowners I would start by asking Pet Partners who they insure through and see if there isn't a way you could maybe get your own policy.  I also agree with Ginny below that it seems if you are doing it for your work then they should insure him.    Other than that or just calling a couple insurance companies and see what they say. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Guinness is covered through TDI on therapy visits.  I'm guessing there is an exclusion in the Pet Partner insurance because you are using Paz in your employment.  I would assume that there is coverage under your employer's liability policy in the event of an injury, but I would check into it to be sure.  If not, why not just keep the coverage through your own Homeowners policy?

[charlotte bednarsh]

Hi All, I work in the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and am actually employed by the Mayor's Office.  Paz is the first therapy dog that has been used in the Brooklyn DA's Office so this question never arose until now.  Paz has been so successful, that they want to begin bringing additional therapy dogs, and there is another employee that has a registered Pet Partner therapy dog, I am certainly maintaining my homeowner's policy, and I agree that my employer definitely needs to expand their liability to include employees who bring therapy dogs to help clients.  In the interim, I had been asked to explore what others in similar situations are doing.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Ok, I checked My B & B policy and it's written the same as Pet Partners.  He's covered at all BB sanctioned events and if I want to take him elsewhere, I just have to call them to get it added to their list.  But we are not insured at my workplace or any setting where I am compensated.  This may be a standard in the industry.  I would check with your employer's insurance agent about amending the City's policy as this is a program being piloted by the City.  I say this because in the event of a lawsuit, it's most likely that everyone will be sued.  I learned this recently In my job because we run all sorts of performing arts events and fundraisers, in different locations, and I have to add insurance or amend the policy depending on the event.  I'm curious now as to how our Courthouse Dogs Program works.  Still waiting for the orientation.

[charlotte bednarsh]

I think you are correct that this is the industry standard; as the City is piloting this program, they are probably going to have to determine a way to expand their coverage to include therapy dogs that are owned by their employees, where the dog is being used to assist clients.  It is all so complicated but I am sure there is a viable solution. 

[Kathy Janes]

You should have an umbrella policy on your homeowners policy to cover at least a million in liability.  Most of the therapy organizations recommend this IN ADDITION to the coverage they provide!