National Therapy Animal Day

History & origins

National Therapy Animal Day is listed in this site's 2026 calendar for April 30. Informal "national days" are often promoted by communities, trade groups, and brands; origins and official proclamations vary by country and year. Celebrate healing animals on Therapy Animal Day! Therapy animals provide comfort in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Because many such observances are cultural or promotional rather than statutory, treat dates as a planning guide and confirm local events separately.

Why it matters

Observing National Therapy Animal Day gives people a shared anchor to explore animals & pets themes—therapy-animals, service, April, healing, comfort—and to coordinate learning, gatherings, or giving around that focus. Celebrate healing animals on Therapy Animal Day! Therapy animals provide comfort in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. From dogs to miniature horses, these animals make incredible differences in lives.

How to celebrate

Thank therapy animal teams. Learn about animal therapy. Support therapy animal organizations. Appreciate healing power of animals. Share therapy animal stories.

Facts

• Therapy animals reduce stress and anxiety
• Dogs are most common, but many species work as therapy animals
• Hospitals, schools, and nursing homes use therapy animals
• Animals must be certified for therapy work
• Research proves animal therapy benefits