Summer Safety for Therapy Animals: Outdoor Event Tips

Laura King, IACP-CDT
Jun 7
5 min read

This post may contain affiliate marketing links for products my pets and I adore. You won’t ever be charged a fee for shopping via my affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through my affiliate links. I'll most likely use that commission to spoil my own pets or the Living Creatures Ministry Therapy animals. 🐾 Learn more.

Outdoor events are one of the best parts of summer, but they can also be one of the riskiest situations for therapy animals if we’re not prepared. Whether you’re attending a street fair, library outdoor reading program, or pop-up event with your pet, here’s how to set them up for success and keep them safe and happy all day long.

If you're a dedicated pet owner, especially if you're dreaming of doing therapy animal visits or public outings with your dog or cat, this therapy animal summer safety guide is for you. Whether you’re a therapy animal handler, adventure pet enthusiast, or just looking to take your dog or cat out in public with confidence, you’ll find practical, safety-focused tips you can use right away.

Plan with Purpose: Advocate Before You Arrive

Every great visit starts before you ever leash up. As therapy animal handlers, we often focus so much on preparing our pets that we forget to prepare the people around them. That starts with setting expectations in advance.

Does your pet have access to shade and water throughout the event?
Will you be near loudspeakers, music, generators, or other stressors?
Is there a space nearby where your pet can take regular breaks away from the crowd?

If the event organizer hasn’t considered your pet’s needs, it’s your job to communicate them clearly. Try saying:

“Our therapy dogs need a shaded, low-traffic space to decompress. Could we be set up away from the music?”

“We’re happy to participate, but we’ll need a way to take short walks or breaks away from the crowd every hour or so.”

Once you’ve established expectations with the humans, it’s time to prepare your pet.

Pack for Comfort and Choice

A calm pet is a prepared pet. What you bring (and how you use it) makes all the difference. I like to pack for two goals: comfort and choice.

Here’s some things I like to bring for outdoor summer events with therapy animals:

Cooling Mat or Neck Gaiter to regulate body temperature
Water Bowl and lots of water (ice water is great!). I actually prefer to bring a water bowl and a big insulated jug for refills.
Pop-up Crate for resting away from reaching hands
Elevated Cot or travel mat to offer a comfortable Place
Toys for play breaks
Treats to capture good behaviors

When you give your pet permission to opt out, they’ll opt in more often. Watch their body language. Let them choose whether they want to greet someone or rest quietly on their cot. This is especially important during long, high-interaction events like summer fairs or all-day pop-ups. Just like people, therapy animals need time to reset. Stepping away for a short walk, playing a quick game, or resting in their crate can help your pet stay regulated. These intentional breaks are what allow them to keep showing up with the calm focus we want.

This approach also helps you stay relaxed. You’re not there to force interactions. You’re there to offer calm connection, model intentional advocacy, and help your pet succeed.

Know What to Avoid—Like Parades

This might ruffle some feathers, but I’m going to say it anyway: dogs and cats do not belong in summer parades.

Yes, it’s a big community moment. Yes, it feels like good exposure. But the heat, the pavement, the noise, the unpredictability? It’s too much for most dogs and cats.

Here’s why I say no to parades:

Pavement temps can hit 120°F+
No easy out if your pet gets overwhelmed
Water breaks and shade are nearly nonexistent
Sirens, horns, and shouting are constant stressors

Already committed? Ride on a float with shade, fans, and cold water. If your pet must walk, invest in solid, protective footwear like Ruffwear booties and practice a lot. You know how walking a long distance in brand new shoes never feels great? It's the same for your dog. New shoes need a break-in period for people and pets.

Essential Therapy Animal Summer Safety: Monitor for Overheating and Respond Quickly

Even if you’re doing everything right, heat exhaustion can creep up. Keep an eye on your pet’s physical cues, especially when they’re working hard to stay neutral and calm in stimulating environments.

Dogs:

Heavy panting with a cupped or “spoon-shaped” tongue
Bright red gums or drooling
Slowing down or trying to lie down
Glazed eyes or wobbling gait
Vomiting or diarrhea

Cats:

Panting (rare and serious in cats)
Drooling or open-mouth breathing
Lethargy or rapid heartbeat
Restlessness or stretching out unusually

If your pet starts to overheat:

Move to a shaded or air-conditioned area immediately
Offer small amounts of cool or ice water
Wet paws, ears, and belly with cool (not cold) water
Use a fan if available
Call a vet if symptoms persist

A quick note about ice water:

Giving your pet cold water to drink is perfectly safe. There's some confusion from people mixing up drinking ice water with cooling an overheated body using ice. The latter can cause blood vessels to constrict and make it harder for your pet to release heat. So. Cold drinks? Great. Ice bath? Skip it.

When in Doubt, Leave Early

Sometimes the best choice for your therapy animal is to end early. If your pet is too hot, overstimulated, wilting, checking out, or not enjoying the event, it’s ok to leave. Trust your gut. This isn’t quitting. It’s modeling the kind of responsible handling we want others to learn from. Here are a few easy, graceful exit scripts:

“Thanks so much for having us! We’re heading out early for Fluffy’s safety. It’s a little too hot for therapy work today.”

“We love being here, but Fluffy needs a break from the heat. We’ll be in touch about the next event!”

“I promised my dog I’d be her advocate today, and she’s letting me know she’s done. Thanks so much for understanding!”

Ready for More Support? Join the Club.

If you’re dreaming of doing therapy visits or public outings with your dog or cat, make sure you’re giving them the tools to feel confident and comfortable every step of the way. Want help? That’s what the King's Creatures Adventure Team Club is for. It’s my online training membership where you’ll find seasonal training calendars, group coaching calls, and a supportive community of therapy animal handlers and adventure pet lovers just like you.

Learn more and join at kingscreatures.com/kcat-club

Your pet deserves a summer of growth and grace—not pressure and chaos.

When you show up with intention, put your pet’s needs first, and model calm leadership, your therapy animal becomes a trustworthy presence in a busy, unpredictable world.

You’ve got this. And your pet deserves nothing less.