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Business Insurance for Animal-Assisted Therapists
Pet / Animal Assisted Therapy
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Why do animal-assisted therapists need business insurance?
Interacting with dogs, cats, and other animals can help improve your clients' physical and mental health, but it also comes with risk. Whether dealing with a client lawsuit over an animal bite or another claim, business insurance can help your small practice survive costly accidents and setbacks.
Find the right coverage
Insureon helps animal-assisted therapists find insurance quotes that match their unique risks.
Get free expert advice and peace of mind knowing you have the right property and liability coverage for your small business.
What types of business insurance do animal-assisted therapists need?
These insurance policies cover the common risks of animal-assisted therapy.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy covers basic third-party risks, such as an accident that injures a client or damages their property. It may be required for a client contract or a commercial lease.
BEST FOR
- Accidental bodily injuries
- Damaged client property
- Libel and slander lawsuits
Business owner’s policy
A BOP bundles commercial property insurance and general liability coverage at a discount. It's often the most cost-effective type of commercial insurance for animal-assisted therapists.
BEST FOR
- Client injuries
- Stolen or damaged business property
- Business interruption incidents
Professional liability / medical malpractice
Professional liability insurance covers legal expenses related to mistakes and oversights, such as a therapy animal that injures a client. It's sometimes referred to as malpractice insurance.
BEST FOR
- Dog bites and scratches
- Advice that causes harm
- Accusations of negligence
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for pet-assisted therapy businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Employee injury lawsuits
Cyber insurance
Cyber liability insurance covers financial losses from data breaches and cyberattacks. It's strongly recommended for animal-assisted therapy businesses that store personal information.
BEST FOR
- Client notification costs
- Fraud monitoring services
- Data breach investigations
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance covers the cost of an accident involving a vehicle owned by an animal-assisted therapy business. Most states require this coverage for business-owned vehicles.
BEST FOR
- Property damage caused by your vehicle
- Auto accident injuries
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
How much does insurance cost for animal-assisted therapists?
A therapy dog handler who works independently can expect to pay less for insurance than a larger business.
Factors that affect premiums during underwriting include:
- Pet therapy services offered, such as nursing home visits, home therapy sessions, or service dog training
- Business property and equipment
- Business income
- Types of insurance purchased
- Policy limits and deductibles
How do I get animal-assisted therapy business insurance?
It's easy to get business insurance for animal-assisted therapists if you have your company information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance quotes and choose policies.
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. insurance companies to find the right insurance coverage for your animal-assisted therapy program, whether you work independently or hire employees.
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FAQs about therapy dog insurance and other coverage for animal-assisted therapists
Review answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about insurance for animal-assisted therapists and more.
How does animal-assisted therapy work?
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a goal-oriented approach where a licensed healthcare or mental health professional incorporates a trained animal into therapy sessions to support a client’s treatment goals.
The therapist guides the session, while the animal helps promote calm, engagement, or emotional and physical well-being support. AAT is commonly used in counseling, rehabilitation, and healthcare settings.
Therapy animals aren't service animals. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities and are protected under the ADA. Therapy animals don't have the same legal status and typically work only in approved environments such as clinics, hospitals, schools, or treatment facilities.
Because AAT involves live animals and close client interaction, it may introduce added risks, making appropriate liability coverage an important consideration for providers.
How do you become certified in animal-assisted therapy?
Becoming certified in animal-assisted therapy typically involves completing a recognized program that demonstrates your knowledge of best practices, ethics, safety standards, and animal welfare when working with therapy animals.
Many professionals pursue certification through organizations such as the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) or approved training programs like the Animal Behavior Institute (ABI). These programs usually require coursework, passing an exam, and ongoing continuing education to maintain certification.
Obtaining certification for your therapy animal practice greatly helps:
- Build trust with clients and employers by showing you follow professional standards
- Support business growth, especially when marketing your services or working in clinical or institutional settings
- Impact insurance, as some insurers or employers prefer or require certification—particularly when hiring employees who will work directly with animals
While certification isn't legally required in most cases, it’s widely recommended for professionals offering animal-assisted therapy as part of a paid practice.
What other types of insurance should animal-assisted therapists consider?
In addition to standard business insurance, animal-assisted therapists may want to consider coverage options that address specialized therapy and animal-related risks.
Common coverages include:
- Telehealth coverage: Extends professional liability protection to virtual therapy sessions and remote counseling services.
- HIPAA defense coverage: Helps cover legal costs, fines, and penalties related to HIPAA violations involving protected health information.
- License defense coverage: Pays for legal expenses if your professional license is investigated or challenged.
- Sexual misconduct defense coverage: Covers legal defense costs if a client alleges boundary violations.
Some practitioners also choose specialized coverage for therapy animals, which may help pay for veterinary expenses or provide limited liability protection related to the animal itself. This type of coverage is typically separate from standard business insurance and may be offered through professional animal-assisted therapy organizations.
The right mix of coverage depends on how you deliver services, whether you offer telehealth, and whether employees or therapy animals are involved in your practice.