Inclusive Pet Group Play & Health Requirements

Inclusive Guide for Dogs in Group Play Health Requirements

To be inclusive for all dogs, some dogs might be on a protective titer or a medical exemption.

A dog park can accept one of three ways to qualify a dog as healthy enough to play in a dog park.

Dogs that have compromised immune systems, auto-immune disease, cancer or other non-contagious illness’s might be validated by a protective titer or medical exemption.

To help protect the health and safety of all dogs participating in group activities, dogs in group play environments should meet one of the following validation requirements for health and wellness protection:

An animal’s protective immunity status for Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus (DAP) can be validated through one of these methods:

Protective Titer – Documentation of protective antibody titers demonstrating protective immunity response to rabies, distemper, and parvovirus

Vaccination Records – Current vaccination documentation for rabies, canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, and canine parvovirus

Veterinarian‑Issued Medical Exemptions – A medical exemption when vaccination is contraindicated or medically unnecessary.

Other Notes:

Bordetella ‘Kennel Cough’ is recommended in play groups where dogs share toys or water bowls, indoor groups or large groups of dogs. If you are vaccinating against Bordetella, ask your veterinarian for the sublingual version.

If you are vaccinating for Rabies or DAP, ask your veterinarian for the longest duration product and discuss Thiomersal free (mercury free).

Some geographic areas may have limitations on Rabies exemptions.

You can check your area requirements

Table of Rabies Vaccination Laws | Animal Legal & Historical Center

If dogs are any products that may be immune compromising or immune modifiers such as oral (pills or shots) neuro toxic antiparasitic products marketed as ‘flea & tick’ products, immune suppressants marketed as ‘allergy’ products or corticosteroids such as prednisone, these dogs may be more prone to catching or transmitting an illness and might be safer to be considered for more private play versus group play.

Each dog’s health status considerations should be reviewed with the owner; their veterinarian and the group play facility operator in ensure dog is healthy to play in a group environment.

Titer Testing for Dogs and Cats – Dr. Judy Morgan’s Naturally Healthy Pets

Here are best resources to check for protective titer:

Affordable In-Home Blood Tests for Pets | Pet Health Diagnostics – Affordable Pet Labs

KSU Rabies Laboratory | K-State | Kansas State University

MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Titer Testing Service | CAVIDS Titer Testing

Vaccine Titer Testing – Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Titer Testing | Hemopet

VacciCheck – Biogal (for veterinarians in office rapid testing kits)