How speech-language pathologists can access, evaluate, and integrate this statewide resource into client care
Illinois launched the nation's first state-certified public safety therapy canine program on August 14, 2026, through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The 24/7 request line gives schools and clinics a direct path to a crisis response therapy canine team.
For speech-language pathologists, the appeal is practical: a calm, trained dog can reduce anxiety during sessions involving selective mutism, stuttering, or trauma-related communication barriers. But the certification was built for public safety, not civilian therapy dog programs, so SLPs should treat it as complementary support rather than a stand-alone speech treatment.
On August 14, 2026, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) and the Cook County Sheriff's Office launched the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program. It is the only state-certified public safety therapy canine program in the nation, according to ILETSB Chairman Sean Smoot.
SLPs in Illinois can request a certified therapy canine team through a 24/7 hotline at 773-674-3647, Option 9, or by emailing [email protected]. The program is statewide, and the dedicated contact line streamlines access for school-based SLPs and community clinicians who want to bring a vetted team into a session, classroom, or campus event.
Schools and clinics may request teams for support after a traumatic event, community healing events, wellness events for students and first responders, or public safety outreach. For professionals working with speech-language disorders, a therapy canine can create a lower-stress environment that encourages verbal initiation, turn-taking, and social engagement, especially for clients who are nonverbal, reluctant speakers, or recovering from trauma.
The ILETSB certification was created specifically for law enforcement agencies and co-responder units, not civilian therapy dog certifications. It reflects specialized training, evaluation, and operational readiness for routine outreach and crisis response. As reported by WCIA's Bradley Zimmerman in the Yahoo News report, the program supports communities after tragedies or during moments when a comforting presence can make a difference.
The appeal of a calm, nonjudgmental dog in a therapy room is clear, but fitting one into a speech-language session without blurring scope of practice takes deliberate planning.
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal is incorporated into a clinician's treatment plan. Animal-assisted activities (AAA) are informal encounters, such as a school visit or community de-stress event, without specific clinical objectives.
In speech-language pathology, a certified therapy dog typically acts as a motivational or co-facilitating presence. A client may practice describing the dog, giving it commands, reading aloud to it, or engaging in turn-taking around the animal. The SLP still selects targets, cues, prompts, and data collection methods. The dog does not replace the clinician; it lowers arousal, builds rapport, or creates natural communication opportunities.
Illinois' new statewide program differs from civilian therapy dog certifications. The ILETSB and Cook County Sheriff's Office certify teams for public safety and crisis-response settings, including school support after traumatic events and first responder wellness. While civilian AAT dogs are typically trained for general therapeutic visitation, these state-certified canine teams have specialized evaluation for routine outreach and critical incident response. For SLPs, an Illinois team requested through the hotline or email may be prepared for high-stress environments, but the SLP still defines how the dog supports specific speech and language objectives.
There is a difference between seeing a child speak more with a therapy dog in the room and proving that the dog caused the improvement. Direct, high-quality evidence for canine-assisted therapy in speech-language pathology remains limited. No single reliable, peer-reviewed dataset was found that establishes consistent outcomes across all speech and language diagnoses. Much of the promising work comes from small pilots, single-subject designs, or reviews with mixed findings.
Many studies report benefits of speech therapy for autistic children2, children with severe language delay, and adults with aphasia, but sample sizes are often small and designs vary. Some outcomes, such as social communication or vocabulary, show gains1, while other communication measures do not. This means SLPs should treat current findings as suggestive rather than definitive.
For a clearer picture, search PubMed or Google Scholar using phrases like "canine-assisted therapy speech language outcomes" or "animal-assisted intervention communication disorders." Prioritize systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Check position statements from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and animal-assisted intervention guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
University research centers such as the Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction and the Penn Vet Working Dog Center often list ongoing studies, while therapy-animal organizations like Pet Partners provide best-practice overviews. Local university SLP clinics may connect you with researchers or offer individualized guidance. Because SLPs rely on Evidence-Based Practice, they can help interpret which findings apply to a specific client. Before asking about adding a canine team to treatment, verify SLP credentials on school websites and review standard career and clinical expectations at BLS.gov.
Canine-assisted therapy can reduce anxiety and foster engagement, but it is best viewed as a calming complement to skilled speech-language treatment, not a substitute for it.
Illinois offers several animal-assisted therapy pathways, but they serve different purposes and operate under different certification models. The new statewide program is designed for crisis response and public safety teams, while community organizations such as Canine Therapy Corps and Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy train volunteer handler-dog teams for facility-based visits and structured client programs. For speech-language professionals, understanding these distinctions can clarify which resource is appropriate when requesting a therapy canine team for a school, clinic, or community event.
| Organization/Program | Type | Certification Body | Who It Serves | How to Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canine Therapy Corps | Nonprofit animal-assisted therapy organization that trains and deploys volunteer therapy dog teams in Chicago and select suburbs | Canine Therapy Corps (internal therapy dog certification limited to its own programs) | Participants in Canine Therapy Corps' own therapy dog programs in Chicago and select suburbs | Clients receive services through programs that Canine Therapy Corps runs at partner facilities; certification only authorizes work within these programs, not independent visits |
| Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy | Community-based animal assisted therapy organization that trains volunteer handler-dog teams | Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy (maintains its own registry and certification for therapy dog visitation and animal-assisted therapy) | Community-based clients at local facilities such as hospitals, schools, park districts, and corporate or professional events | Organizations and events receive services on-site; individuals with dogs enroll in the Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy class and pass the Rainbow Registry Test to join as teams |
| ILETSB/CCSO CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program | State-certified public safety and crisis response therapy canine certification program for law enforcement and agency-authorized therapy canine teams | Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) in collaboration with the Cook County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), under Public Act 104-0106 | Schools, first responders, local governments, businesses, community organizations, and residents across Illinois needing crisis response, peer support, victim services, and community engagement | Public entities and residents request support from certified therapy canine teams via a dedicated 24/7 call-out line (773-674-3647, Option 9) or program email |
Illinois speech-language pathologists earn a median annual wage of $95,080 according to 2025 BLS data. Employment of 9,040 SLPs in the state reflects a substantial clinical workforce. The table below compares those figures with postsecondary health specialties teachers, an adjacent education occupation.
| Occupation | Employment | Mean annual wage | 25th percentile wage | Median annual wage | 75th percentile wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 9,040 | $92,660 | $76,590 | $95,080 | $108,330 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 7,740 | $113,930 | $63,170 | $92,860 | $132,950 |
