I don't have experience with this, but wanted to offer a couple of thoughts.  Due to liability issues, I think most facilities require that you complete canine good citizen training/certificate to verify the dog has a good temperament and that he won't jump/bark, etc.  You could probably check with local dog trainers to see if they have any knowledge of the process.  Every facility will probably be different, so you will likely have to contact each hospital's administrator and/or activities director to see what that particular place requires.

You also might want to consider offering Ryder as a "volunteer" at your vet's office so that others going through the dilemma of "do I amputate or not?" can see his progress.

Very nice of you to think of helping others!  Good luck!

I've been looking into this but have not had time to do anything yet except for the CGC.  What I've found out so far…  It is a good idea to for your dog to get a CGC.  Most therapy groups require that.  There are various therapy groups who coordinate visits and provide insurance.  If you join one of those groups, they will evaluate your dog to see if he is suitable for therapy (good for the patient and won't stress your dog out) and they then help you make the connections in the hospital and provide you with insurance to cover liability to others at the hospital (but I don't think it covers you or your dog…not sure).  If there are any doggy events around you, e.g. agility or obedience classes, rescue groups, ask around with them — usually someone there will know someone in the doggy community that does therapy and may be able to get you started.

I thought that there were a few dogs here that do therapy, but haven't had time to search thru the posts yet.  They can probably provide more accurate info once they see your thread.

Might want to try searching for the phrase "pet assisted therapy" on the web.  From what I've seen, it seems to be the more official term these days.  

In a few weeks I'll be getting training with a local affiliate of the Delta Society Pet Partners Program.  They're a national group, much like Therapy Dogs International.  A downside about Delta Society is they won't accept dogs who are fed a raw diet.  I don't like that in principle, but they're by far the most active/closest group to me and Gerry's not on a raw diet anyway.  Here's a link to the Delta Society website: http://www.delt.....ety.org/ 

You don't necessarily have to be registered with a group like this.  Gerry has been going to a local nursing home for many months now that just screens owners and their dogs, interested in volunteering to visit residents, for themselves.  While that's been a pretty good experience, I think I'm going to like getting training from experienced folks much better and also the wider variety of places we'll get to visit by being a part of the Delta Society program.

Good luck!