Having a pet by your side can make addiction treatment easier to bear during the initial phase of treatment, when you may be most uncomfortable.
A pet’s presence can also make you more at ease throughout the treatment process, making you more receptive to healing and growth.
Pet-friendly rehab centers allow you to bring your pets, affording you the benefits of having your pet by your side as you achieve recovery goals.
Top 9 Pet-Friendly Rehab Centers In The U.S.
If you are looking to bring your pet with you to rehab, it’s a good idea to first research which rehab centers in the U.S. allow pets.
The following are 9 pet-friendly rehab centers in the U.S., chosen based on:
- accreditations earned
- degree of pet-friendliness
- intensity of treatments offered
- positive alumni reviews
1. Alta Mira, Sausalito, California
Alta Mira is an inpatient, pet-friendly rehab center which provides luxury accommodations and both evidence-based and experiential therapies.
Treatment programs here include:
- 90-day inpatient program
- 30-day drug rehab program
- holistic therapies: music, massage, yoga, and acupuncture
- experiential therapies: kayaking, ropes course, and ziplining
- family programs
- continuing care
This recovery center is backed by the following trusted features:
- Joint Commission accreditation
- 4-star Google reviews
Location and contact information:
125 Bulkley Ave.
Sausalito, CA 94965
(866) 922-1350
2. Capo By The Sea, San Juan Capistrano, California
Capo by the Sea offers pet friendly, residential detox and inpatient addiction treatment programs at its beachside facility.
Capo by the Sea offers an array of recovery programs and services:
- couples treatment
- chemical dependency treatment
- prescription opioid treatment
- medication-assisted treatment with naltrexone (Vivitrol)
- dual diagnosis treatment
- executive drug rehab
- luxury drug rehab
The drug and alcohol treatment facility is backed by:
- Joint Commission accreditation
- LegitScript certification
- 4.4 stars on Google reviews
Location and contact information:
27130 Paseo Espada
Suite 521
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(844) 505-4471
3. Cliffside Malibu, Malibu, California
Dual diagnosis treatment in a dog-friendly environment can be found at Cliffside Malibu.
This rehab facility provides programs for co-occurring disorders:
- drug and alcohol detox
- inpatient treatment
- intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- aftercare
- sober living
Alcohol and drug addiction treatment at this facility is backed by:
- Joint Commission accreditation
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) approval
- a COVID Commitment to Clean safety standard
- LegitScript certification
Location and contact information:
29610 Heathercliff Rd.
Suite 200
Malibu, CA 90265
(888) 948-1634
4. Dreamlife Recovery, Donegal, Pennsylvania
Here you can find pet-friendly rehab that includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT), clinical detox, and residential treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.
Dual diagnosis care is also available, as well as individual and group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other behavioral health services.
Trusted features of this addiction treatment center:
- Joint Commission accreditation
- LegitScript certification
- membership with the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP)
Location and contact information:
212 Snyder Rd.
Donegal, PA 15628
(844) 402-3592
5. The Hills Treatment Center, Los Angeles, California
The Hills Treatment Center is an inpatient, pet-friendly rehab center that believes in the benefits of pet therapy to improve your chances at lasting recovery.
The Hills provides an array of treatment options, including:
- dual diagnosis treatment
- men’s program
- women’s program
- teen program
- inpatient treatment
- intensive outpatient treatment
- partial hospitalization
- family immersion treatment
- outpatient programs
- sober living programs
Treatments pet owners may find here include:
- behavioral therapy
- counseling
- family therapy
- medically supervised detox
- aftercare
- intervention support
- relapse prevention planning
The treatment center is backed by CARF accreditation and 4.9 stars on Google.
Location and contact information:
8207 Mulholland Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(866) 322-7820
6. Seaside Palm Beach, Palm Beach Shores, Florida
Both inpatient and outpatient programs are offered here for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions in a pet-friendly environment.
A number of specialized treatment services are also offered:
- 12-step programs
- LGBTQ-friendly treatment programs
- holistic treatment
- spiritual programs
- family member services
- sex addiction treatment
The treatment facility is backed by Joint Commission accreditation and a 5-star Google rating.
Location and contact information:
106 Blossom Ln.
Palm Beach Shores, FL 33404
(561) 220-3908
7. Spring Gardens Recovery, Spring Hill, Florida
Men and women can find medical detox, residential treatment, IOP, outpatient services, and aftercare at this pet-accepting rehab facility.
In addition to pet therapy, the facility provides rehab for veterans and executives, luxury rehab programs, and non-12-step programs.
Marks of quality here are:
- Joint Commission accreditation
- LegitScript certification
- a 4.8-star rating on Google
Location and contact information:
8213 Cessna Dr.
Spring Hill, FL 34606
(866) 244-8013
8. Taylor Recovery, Houston, Texas
Taylor Recovery is a cat-friendly and dog-friendly drug and alcohol treatment and dual diagnosis care facility.
Here you can find a full continuum of care, from inpatient treatment and detoxification to PHP and IOP, to sober housing and continuing care.
Trusted features of this alcohol and drug abuse treatment center:
- Joint Commission accreditation
- LegitScript certification
- 4.4-star rating on Google
Location and contact information:
5711 Lavender St.
Houston, TX 77026
(713) 557-8573
9. 10-Acre Ranch, Riverside, California
This substance abuse treatment facility for young adults accepts your pets during your rehabilitation and offers all levels of care.
Treatment options here include:
- alcohol and drug detox
- residential drug rehab
- intensive outpatient treatment
- partial hospitalization
- dual diagnosis care for alcohol and drug addiction and mental health
- aftercare
- transitional housing
Marks of quality at this treatment facility include Joint Commission accreditation and LegitScript certification.
Location and contact information:
8605 Janet Ave.
Riverside, CA 92503
(866) 440-2898
Meeting Pet-Friendly Rehab Requirements
When looking for a pet-friendly rehab center, you should first find the best facility that meets their treatment needs, in addition to allowing your pet companion.
While pet-friendly rehab centers may allow you to bring pets to treatment, these facilities may have specific guidelines to meet for bringing pets.
Rehab requirements for bringing pets could include that the pet must:
- be current on vaccinations
- be treated for fleas and ticks
- be leash-trained
- remain in resident’s room when not being walked or taking bathroom breaks
- not be aggressive in nature
9 Benefits Of Having Pets In Addiction Treatment
Recent research has shown that the animal-human bond can provide many benefits to a person’s health and well-being.
For those in addiction treatment, this means having a pet present throughout the recovery process can actually lend to a lasting recovery.
The following are 9 benefits of having pets in addiction treatment programs:
1. Pets Help Reduce Negative Emotions
During treatment, especially at first, you may experience many negative emotions, including anxiety, guilt, isolation, or loneliness.
Having pet companionship can help soothe such emotions and the behaviors that can result.
2. Pets Help Decrease Negative Feelings
In early recovery, you may also experience negative feelings, such as hostility or sadness. With time, feelings can result in negative actions or behaviors.
Time spent with our pets can help us overcome these feelings, especially when coupled with counseling and individual therapy during treatment.
3. Pets Help Produce Feel-Good Chemicals
Research shows playing and interacting with a pet can help naturally produce feel-good chemicals (like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin) in the brain.
Stimulating your brain without the use of drugs or alcohol is a positive step forward in addiction recovery.
4. Pets Help Recovering Individuals Relax
When you relax, you’re more receptive to treatment and more open to healing. Pets help by eliminating negative feelings and promoting positive ones, aiding in relaxation.
5. Pets Promote Accountability
A large part of recovery from substance abuse is becoming responsible and holding yourself accountable.
Being responsible for a pet helps you regain your sense of responsibility and take back your self-esteem.
6. Pets Help Build Trust
Addiction often leads to self-blame, guilt, and self-loathing. Once you become and remain sober, your pet can help re-establish a sense of love and trust through their unconditional love.
7. Pets Provide Distraction
Withdrawal during recovery can be a great struggle as you fight cravings and other symptoms.
Your beloved pet can provide a welcome distraction during this and other phases of recovery.
8. Pets Reduce Stress
In producing positive brain chemicals and fostering relaxation, pets can help eliminate stress in their owners.
Lowering stress levels also leads to more positive treatment outcomes, since increased stress can lead to other health effects, such as blood pressure changes.
9. Pets Encourage A Healthy Routine
Bringing your four-legged best friend to rehab may also provide health benefits. A large component of recovery is increasing healthy, substance-free habits, including exercise.
Pets require certain habits, such as walking, being taken outside to relieve themselves, and playtime, all of which can promote a healthy lifestyle.
Finding A Pet-Friendly Rehab Center
With developing research on the benefits of pets to healing, more drug and alcohol rehab centers in the U.S. are offering pet-friendly rehab programs.
Keeping your furry friend close at hand can help you feel relaxed, less stressed, and more open to treatment principles.
Choose a state below to find a pet-friendly rehab center near you:
Article resourcesAddiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.
These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.
- Harvard Health Publishing — Therapy dog offers stress relief at work
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/therapy-dog-offers-stress-relief-at-work-201107223111 - Los Angeles Times — 8 ways pets can help in the quest for sobriety
https://www.latimes.com/brandpublishing/healthplus/morningside/la-ss-morningside-8-ways-pets-can-help-in-the-quest-for-sobriety-dto-story.html - Psychology Today — Animal-Assisted Therapy
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/animal-assisted-therapy - U.S. National Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health — Psychosocial and Psychophysiological Effects of Animal-Human Interaction
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3408111/