Therapy Animal Program Insurance
Therapy Animal Program Insurance
Therapy animals provide comfort, companionship, and emotional support to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, therapy centers, and other community settings. Operating a therapy animal program is a rewarding endeavor, but it comes with unique risks and responsibilities. Each session involves interacting with the public, handling animals in diverse environments, and ensuring both human and animal safety.
Therapy Animal Program Insurance is designed to protect your organization, volunteers, and animals while supporting the critical work you do. This coverage ensures your program can continue its mission without disruption, protecting against liability claims, property damage, and accidents that could otherwise threaten your operation.
Why Therapy Animal Programs Need Insurance
Working with therapy animals exposes organizations and volunteers to a range of potential risks. Even the most well-trained animal can have an unpredictable moment, and clients or staff may be injured during interactions. Insurance is essential because therapy programs face risks such as:
Animal bites or scratches to clients, staff, or volunteers
Injuries to clients or visitors during sessions
Property damage caused by animals or program volunteers
Accusations of negligence in handling animals or participants
Volunteer or staff injuries while working with animals
Legal claims from accidents, incidents, or allergic reactions
Equipment or supplies damaged during travel or sessions
Having the right insurance allows therapy animal programs to operate safely, maintain public trust, and protect their volunteers and animals from unexpected losses.
General Liability Insurance for Therapy Animal Program Insurance
General Liability Insurance protects your therapy animal program from third-party claims related to injury, property damage, or accidents that occur during sessions or events.
Coverage typically includes:
Injuries to clients, staff, or visitors during therapy sessions
Damage to property during in-home visits or facility sessions
Legal fees and settlements for covered claims
Accidents involving animals in your care
This coverage ensures your program can continue serving communities without being financially burdened by lawsuits.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Therapy Animal Program Insurance
Volunteers and staff are integral to therapy animal programs, and they face daily risks while handling animals. Workers’ Compensation insurance protects against medical costs and lost wages if someone is injured while working with your program.
Workers’ compensation may help cover:
Animal bites or scratches
Lifting or handling injuries
Slips, trips, and falls during therapy sessions
Repetitive strain injuries from handling or training animals
Medical care and rehabilitation costs
This coverage safeguards your team and keeps your program compliant with labor regulations.
Business Owners Policy (BOP) for Therapy Animal Program Insurance
A Business Owner’s Policy combines multiple types of protection into one comprehensive plan, simplifying coverage for therapy programs.
BOP typically includes:
General Liability Insurance
Property Insurance – protects offices, equipment, therapy tools, and supplies
Business Interruption Coverage – replaces lost income if your program temporarily halts due to a covered event
A BOP ensures therapy programs can maintain operations even during unexpected incidents, protecting both people and animals involved.
🐾Frequently Asked Questions
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers
Yes—Animal Bailee Coverage protects animals in your care, custody, or control during therapy sessions or transport.
Coverage depends on state regulations and your policy, but many programs extend protection to volunteers.
Yes—coverage includes third-party injuries resulting from accidents or animal interactions.
Yes—policies can be customized to cover visits to schools, hospitals, clinics, or other community venues.
Even small programs benefit from BOP coverage, as it bundles liability, property, and business interruption protections.
