Nursing and adult care facilities
A friendly visit and a brief, comforting distraction for residents.
A Manassas, Virginia nonprofit
Manassas Therapy Dogs
Learn how therapy dogs can help create welcoming, supportive experiences for people and communities. Discover the role of animal-assisted visits, responsible participation, and the human–animal bond.
Who we are
Founded in 2003 by Shirley Way and her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Dilly — the first therapy dog team in our local area — Manassas Therapy Dogs has grown to more than 50 dog teams, all certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Our teams offer pet therapy to the citizens of Manassas and surrounding Northern Virginia communities: comfort and a brief distraction for people in nursing, rehabilitation and adult care facilities, support for elementary students' literacy programs, visits at college campus de-stressing events, and other special opportunities that may arise.
This website is a free educational resource for families, volunteers, and community organizations who want to understand therapy dogs and how responsible, welfare-centered visits work.
What therapy dogs do
Therapy dogs are friendly pet dogs who, with their handlers, visit people by invitation in places like libraries, schools, and care communities.
Comfort
A calm, friendly presence can offer a welcome moment of comfort for some people during a busy or stressful day.
Connection
A dog often sparks conversation and shared smiles, helping people feel more at ease with each other.
Responsibility
Good visits depend on trained handlers, suitable temperament, and constant attention to animal welfare.
Therapy dog visits are not medical treatment. Experiences vary from person to person.
Supporting well-being, social connection, and comfort
Research on human–animal interaction suggests that time with friendly animals may be associated with feelings of calm and social engagement for some people. We share balanced, practical information so communities can explore therapy dog visits thoughtfully.
- Emotional well-being: a gentle, non-judgmental presence
- Social connection: a natural conversation starter
- Comfort: a reminder of home and companionship
Our story at a glance
- Year founded by Shirley Way and her corgi Dilly
- 2003
- Year founded by Shirley Way and her corgi Dilly
- Volunteer dog teams serving our community
- 50+
- Volunteer dog teams serving our community
- Teams certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs
- 100%
- Teams certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs
Where we visit
Comfort where it is needed most
Rehabilitation settings
Calm, well-trained dogs offering encouragement during recovery.
Elementary literacy programs
Children practice reading aloud to a patient, non-judgmental listener.
College de-stressing events
Students take a break from exams with a few minutes of dog time.
What a therapy dog visit looks like
- 1
Planning
The host facility and our team agree on a time, place, and any guidelines.
- 2
Arrival
A certified handler arrives with a clean, healthy, well-groomed dog.
- 3
Visiting
People who wish to may pet, talk with, or simply sit near the dog. Participation is always optional.
- 4
Wrapping up
Visits are kept short so dogs stay relaxed and happy.
Community involvement
Interested in volunteering, partnering, or simply learning more? We welcome messages from community members. Apply to express interest in joining with your dog, helping without a dog, or exploring visits for your organization.
Featured article
What Is a Therapy Dog? A Guide for Beginners
A plain-language introduction to therapy dogs: what they do, who handles them, and what makes a dog suited to this kind of volunteer work.