Certified Therapy Dog, Inc.
An AKC Recommended Therapy Dog Organization
A Non-Profit Corporation
Dogs make people better. Dogs make better people.
Our Founders
Alan Levine and Sophie
Our founder is an AKC Certified Training Evaluator and a lifelong proponent of how people make better dogs and how dogs make better people.
Alan Levine has been training dogs for over thirty years. Throughout this time, he has engaged with hundreds of people from various therapy dog organizations both throughout the country and in various countries throughout the world. Prior to chartering Certified Therapy Dog, Inc. Alan was the Director of Training for a long-established therapy dog organization with members residing throughout the country. Following an early and serious life altering event, Alan has dedicated his life to bringing joy to others with his Furry BFF Sophie. To date (2024), she and he have logged over 8000 therapy dog visits across all of the venues listed below. Sophie took second place in both the 2016 and 2020 AKC National Therapy Dog Humanitarian of the Year Awards. She has appeared on AKC-TV, Court TV, The Sun Sentinel, all local media channels during holiday events, and more.
In addition, The Farmers Dog Food Company hired an author to publish an article about our approach to Therapy Dog training. This article can be found at.........
To see Sophie and other therapy dogs in action, please click the following link. While the entire video is awe inspiring, Sophie’s segment starts at (11:40.)
https://akc.tv/watch/6/5768/episode/event-akc-heroes-epsiode-2?ctx=/watch//5/5766/season/akc-heroes
Alan’s experience, knowledge and gentle way with both people and animals have led him to create a genuinely superior training, evaluation and visitation program. He is a Certified AKC Training Evaluator and conducts AKC level evaluations at local/regional AKC Dog Shows. Following the passing of his long-time mentor (see below), Alan has made it his personal mission to continue the enormous value of Comfort and Therapy Dog work in such places as nursing homes and memory care facilities, hospice, hospitals, schools, library reading programs, the Juvenile Courthouse in Palm Beach County, Court diversion programs for teens, school based psychological counseling sessions and the like.
Alan has been asked to speak before AKC sponsored dog clubs and is constantly recharged when, in the course of people saying ‘goodbye’ and ‘thank you’, they add... “You saved my life today.” (These exact words are actually spoken many, many times.) He can offer countless additional stories about the incredibly wonderful effects of a loving and well-trained therapy dog.
Alan can be reached directly at 561.512.0015
Lynn Hoffman (May 7, 1939-July 7, 2019) was a pioneer in the world of therapy dogs and, immediately upon her passing inspired the creation of Certified Therapy Dog, Inc. that very same day. Certified Therapy Dog, Inc. is dedicated to continuing the legacy of Lynn Hoffman who, with therapy dogs, inspired through courage, healed with kindness and inspired so many to look beyond themselves…to reach out from their heart and to bring happiness into the lives of our fellow human beings.
Our Amazing Directors and Ambassadors
Christine Strich is the Executive Director of Certified Therapy Dog, Inc. Among her numerous duties keeping the organization running smoothly, she is delighted to be working as the volunteer coordinator bringing together our family of volunteers with those who need a smile to brighten their day. Through her involvement with coordinating therapy dog visits, she has seen (first hand) the joy and happiness that pets bring to so many people. Both she and her husband, Marc, have gone through the Certification process with their Golden Retriever, Oliver; and they have been recently joined by another Golden Retriever puppy...Teddy... in this endeavor.
Relocating to Florida in 2013 with her husband for a job transfer, she
was able to continue her roll in Regional Property Management, with up to 105 properties across the country. Since retiring in 2020, she has volunteered for a variety of local non-profits; as the absence of business travel requirements no longer limit her ability to serve our community.
Christine Strich earned a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University with concentrations in Finance, Real Estate and Insurance. This facilitated a broad career in Retail, Commercial Real Estate, and Agricultural management rolls incorporating her operational, organizational and marketing skills.
She lives with her husband, and the golden retrievers in Wellington. Whenever possible, they visit their two wonderful children in Wisconsin and California, along with relatives in Illinois.
Julia Kester, Ambassador.
Julia Kester was a general dentist with private practice in NY. She brought her therapy dog, Frankie, a Golden Retriever, to the office to help ease anxieties in patients. Seeing the benefits of pet therapy,
Julia and Frankie started visiting local hospitals and nursing homes on her days off.
Julia sold her practice and moved to Florida with her family in 2021.
She had every intention of continuing her therapy work with Frankie,
but unfortunately Frankie passed away unexpectedly. At the time she also had a Chocolate Lab puppy, Charlee, who was 11 months old.
She
started to look into making Charlee a therapy dog and found Alan.
After their 1st conversation she knew that CTD was the place for her. Since then she has added another fur baby, Bailee, another Golden Retriever to the family. Both dogs are now therapy dogs and visit
many locations. (St. Mary’s Medical Ctr, Palms West Hospital, Jupiter Medical Ctr, the VA Medical Ctr, the Courthouse, assisted living
facilities and high schools.)
Having 2 therapy dogs has enabled Julia to make at least 2-3 visits a week, sometimes even 2 visits in 1 day. Everyone from patients, residents, hospital staff to students all love seeing them. The best statements heard are “This is the best day ever!” or “I really needed that!” Charlee was a runner up for the AKC ACE (Award for Canine Excellence) Award for her therapy work and was featured on ESPN.
When they are not spreading smiles they enjoy swimming, dock diving, and participating in AKC sports such as Rally, Fetch and FitDog.
They are also models and have appeared in many Chewy ads and commercials, as well as in other ads for different brands.
Julia finds being their “momager” a nice balance to all their therapy work. Her mission to spread smiles is truly a passion that she intends to continue as long as possible.
Dr. Marc Pinkwasser, Ambassador and Veterinary Consultant
A Lifetime of Paws, Purpose, and Ultimate Purr-pose
For Dr. Marc Pinkwasser, life is best measured in the company of four legs, a wagging tail, and an innate desire to retrieve things. A devotee of the Golden Retriever breed, Marc has shared his home and his heart with these gentle giants since 1990. It is a profound bond that not only shaped his personal life but also fueled a distinguished career dedicated to health, happiness, and therapeutic power of animals.
Marc’s academic journey began at the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed his undergraduate studies, before he returned to the Sunshine State to attend the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. After earning his DVM in 1997, he set out to make a lasting impact on his home community. In 1999, he established Courtyard Animal Hospital in Wellington, Florida. For over two decades, Marc served as a trusted veterinarian, healer, and advocate for local pets, building a beloved practice known equally for its compassionate care and medical excellence. His commitment to local pets even extended beyond the clinic walls; during this time, he was instrumental in establishing the Wellington Dog Park, creating a dedicated space for community hounds to run and socialize. After 22 years of dedicated service, he sold his practice in 2021 to embark on a well-deserved retirement.
However, anyone who knows Marc knows that "retirement" is a relative term. When he isn't exploring the depths of the ocean as an avid scuba diver, he is deeply immersed in community service. While Marc officially aligned with Certified Therapy Dogs in 2022, his pioneering work in animal-assisted therapy actually dates back to his days in veterinary school.
Driven by a desire for impactful, real-world solutions, Marc established a groundbreaking program during his time at UF. The initiative partnered work camp inmates with an assistance dog group to become puppy raisers. To maximize the program's reach, these handlers brought the puppies to local assisted living facilities for weekly pet therapy visits—creating a profound, therapeutic circle of mutual benefit. Demonstrating its extraordinary value, the program continued to thrive for more than a decade after Marc graduated.
Today, Marc’s therapy work is focused closer to home, centered around his own two cherished Golden Retrievers, Billie and Cole. Cole, a rescued English Cream Golden Retriever, has happily inherited his human’s passion for community service. Billie still needs a little more time (and work) before she is ready. Together, Marc and Cole frequently visit local libraries as part of the ARF (Animal Reading Friends) program. Here, Cole patiently listens to young children practice their reading skills, offering a completely non-judgmental, furry ear to budding readers.
Through decades of clinical practice, civic contributions, innovative community programs, and his current therapy work, Dr. Marc Pinkwasser continues to demonstrate that retirement is simply an opportunity to redirect one's passions. Whether he is diving deep beneath the waves or sitting on a library floor with Cole, Marc remains dedicated to ensuring that the powerful bond between humans and animals is celebrated.
Aimee Lickerman, Ambassador.
Since joining CTD with my best pal, Penny, my love for her and volunteering has grown beyond my wildest dreams. When we visit a sick patient or help a child get over their fear of dogs, I feel so proud to be a part of this amazing organization. As I tell Alan (CTD founder) every time I see him, “this group has changed my life.” After my kids left for college, I needed another purpose. I wanted to give back and spend time with Penny. Now, almost 3 years later, I’m fulfilling my wishes with every single visit we make together. I try and volunteer 1-2 times a week with my favorite places being Northwest Hospital and JAFCO (Children’s Ability Center) in Broward. These two places are so impactful because Penny has made real connections with staff, patients and kids. When you hear, “I needed this today and you’ve made my day better,” you can’t help but feel the difference you’ve made in someone’s life. To see my sweet Penny in action touches my heart too. I love CTD and will forever be grateful for all it’s given me. Dreams do come true!
Maritza Polan, Ambassador.
My name is Maritza Polan and my awesome Certified Therapy
Dog is 5-year-old Rusty. I am originally from NY where I met my
husband and worked as a clinical therapist at a local hospital.
Florida has been our home for the past 35 years. Along with
being a family therapist, and Guardian Ad Litem I became a
mediator for the 17th Judicial Circuit in Florida. Upon retiring
from the Courthouse, and after the horrific events at Marjorie
Stoneman Douglas HS I became involved with CTD- Certified
Therapy Dogs, inc.
I have two sons who are now grown and out of the house.
Joining CTD was a perfect transition into retirement. Having
been raised with dogs, for a long time I wanted to train a
therapy dog, but felt I didn’t have the time required for proper
training. Rusty is a rescue who came to us at eight months with
a wonderful foundation. Shortly after his first birthday we took
the CTD training classes and passed! It has been a lot of work
but wonderful to meet so many fabulous and dedicated
humans with incredible dogs. What we do and receive is so
rewarding.
Being I have a background in both the medical and legal fields,
volunteering with Rusty at such a variety of locations has been
a full circle moment for me.
Thanks to Rusty we go for long walks every morning in the rain or
shine, and then swim. Fortunately, he enjoys shopping as
much as I do. I tell everyone Rusty and CTD keep me young. It is
a privilege to be part of a wonderful, supportive, and caring
