The Concept of Baseball Cards for Therapy Dogs
While baseball cards are traditionally associated with players in Major League Baseball, one nonprofit organization has come up with a creative way to highlight the important work of therapy dogs through customized baseball-style cards. Therapy Dogs International created a set of “baseball-style” trading cards featuring therapy dogs from across the country to bring more awareness to the therapy dog movement while also providing an engaging activity for the dogs’ human partners.
Therapy dog programs have grown tremendously in popularity over the past couple of decades as more research demonstrates the positive impact that animal-assisted therapy can have on people in various situations, such as hospitals, schools, assisted living facilities, and other settings. Through gentle companionship and unconditional love, therapy dogs are able to help reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness for many individuals. Despite their meaningful work, therapy dogs and their skills often do not receive as much public recognition as other service dogs.
That’s where the idea of baseball-style trading cards came in. Just like traditional sports cards that feature stats and fun facts about athletes, the therapy dog cards highlight each individual canine “team member” with their name, breed, registered organization, favorite treats, years of service, and a short biography of some of the people they have helped. Each card also includes an adorable photo of the dog in their vest while visiting clients.
The cards were designed by Therapy Dogs International, the largest registry, certifying, and bonding organization for therapy dog teams in the United States. Their goal in creating the cards was to not only promote the wonderful dogs who give of themselves each day to help others through animal-assisted interventions, but also to increase awareness of therapy dog programs and the incredible impact these goodwill ambassadors have on communities.
Since being introduced in 2018, the therapy dog trading cards have been a huge hit among volunteers, clients, and the general public alike. Therapy dog handlers enjoy collecting cards of their fellow teams from across the country, just as many baseball fans enjoy trading and collecting cards. The lighthearted, fun concept has started important conversations about the role of therapy dogs in society.
Clients who have benefited from therapy dog visits also love seeing their canine friends immortalized on cards. For some, especially children, it helps normalize what can be intimidating medical settings. Seeing a therapy dog depicted on a card in a playful, cheerful way makes their work more approachable and less clinical.
The general public has also warmed to the cards as they see therapy dogs depicted not just as working animals but as individuals with personalities of their own. Learning fun facts and backstories through the trading cards helps the therapy dog “brand” seem more relatable. Individual dogs also get recognition for their service, which volunteers and handlers say is important since the dogs do not work for external rewards like pay or trophies. The cards celebrate each dog for the difference they make.
Since the initial launch of the therapy dog trading card set in 2018, Therapy Dogs International has continued to add new dogs and expand the collection. They now have over 150 unique cards available both individually and in group packs themed by region, size, or other attributes. The nonprofit also sells card collecting supplies like binders, sheets, and accessories. Proceeds from card sales go directly back into supporting the therapy dog movement through activities like volunteer appreciation events and community education.
As interest in the therapy dog baseball cards has grown, other therapy dog organizations across North America have taken note and started creating and distributing their own customized trading cards as a fun new way to recognize working therapy dog teams. While the primary goal remains bringing more attention to animal-assisted intervention programs and the clients they serve, the cards have unexpectedly brought a sense of lighthearted competition and community among volunteers. Trading and collecting the cards has become a bonding activity for handlers at meetings and continuing education sessions.
In the future, Therapy Dogs International hopes to continue expanding the collection to feature as many therapy dog teams as possible. They also hope to use the cards to help illustrate the wide diversity of therapy dog work, from visiting senior centers to reading with kids at schools. Most of all, they aim to sustain the momentum around recognizing these hard-working “canine ambassadors” who change lives every day with nothing but a wagging tail and unconditional love. As the therapy dog baseball card concept catches on, it seems their goal of bringing more attention to this important work is well on its way.
