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At first, Judy Keitz was content - she was a successful business owner in Chicago and could even spend all day with her Golden Retriever Derby. After edging close to the middle of her life, however, Judy had a need for more.

"I just felt like I was spending a lot of my time working, and I felt like it was time to give something back," she recalled, "but I didn't want to spend any time away from my dog." Hearing this, one of her friends recommended volunteering for animal-assisted therapy.

If you are a dog-owner, you already know all about the therapeutic benefits – no matter how bad your day at work may be, coming home to the unconditional affection of your furry friend never fails to raise your spirits. It's also common knowledge that dogs lower blood pressure and almost immediately relieve tension. Rather than keep all of this to yourself, why not help make this a better world by donating your dog's love to those who really need it?

Studies of these positive effects have prompted the use of canines as therapy for hospital patients and those battling depression. At the very least, these dogs give psychological relief, if only for a few minutes. They have also been found to be remarkably effective at comforting victims and even rescue workers following large-scale disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"People will talk to dogs when they won't talk to their therapist," said Judy Keitz. "They fear no judgment from the dog, so a lot of emotions come out that wouldn't normally."

After Derby passed away, Judy continued therapy work, becoming a supervisor of a Chenny Troupe program at the Rehabilitation Clinic of Chicago, and eventually Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Keitz now has a new Golden Retriever puppy that she is training to continue the work that Derby left behind.

"This is the greatest way to be with your pets because you're working with them," said Keitz, "You actually form a much closer bond with your pet than if you just sat at home and played with him, because you're working towards a goal."

Most therapy groups test potential pooches based on criteria set by the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program, which judges how well a dog can exist in human society without causing trouble. The dogs must not be aggressive, nervous or excitable, but should be very tolerant, calm and friendly toward people and other dogs. This demeanor must be held constantly regardless of what circumstances they find themselves in. Many training clubs offer advanced classes designed to prepare your dog for these exams.

However, no matter how good of a companion your dog is, it is important to realize that not every pooch is cut out for therapy work. If your canine doesn't pass an organization's test, ask about the other ways you can volunteer your time or money to help with animal-assisted therapy programs.

"People say ‘My dog's great with people,' but some of the characteristics that people find charming won't work in a hospital," Keitz advised. "You really need to take a good look at your dog."

If you are interested in using your dog's love to ease the pain of others, you can start by getting information from national organizations like Therapy Dogs International, Inc. or the Delta Society. You might also want to check for an area-specific therapy group, like Chicago's Chenny Troupe or Utah's Intermountain Therapy Animals. Contact your local Humane Society for information on therapy dog activities in your area.

Ready for more? Check out more stories in our Pets section.