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  DogPlay: Web Site Links to Visiting Pet, AAT and AAA Volunteer Groups

Groups and Organizations Offering Visiting Pet, AAT, AAA and similar programs.

These are groups that offer some variety of program taking dogs and other pets into hospitals, convalescent homes, residential care facilities, and more. Some do their own visit testing, others require registration by one of the national organizations.For a list of national organizations that do testing and registrations see the "Find a Group to Join" page. If the group is strictly local and does its own testing then ordinarily visits are authorized only under the umbrella of that group. That means that the facility must have some kind of agreement with the group to accept its volunteers. If you have a facility that you want to visit find out the policy of the local organization, or seek testing and registration from one of the national organizations .

Most of these organizations are strictly volunteer and most have very limited budgets. Please keep this in mind when contacting them asking for information. If what you need is general information then check either the resources page, or the books and videos page.

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Alabama    Top

Hand-in-Paw, Inc.
http://www.handinpaw.org

Based in Birmingham, Alabama this organization's services and programs focus on children and youth. Hand-in-Paw certifies pets under the guidelines established by Delta Society. Volunteers can be certified in either animal assisted activities or the more formal animal assisted therapy.

Therapy Partners, Inc.
http://www.TherapyPartners.org

Therapy Partners, Inc.T operates in the Huntsville, Alabama, area Active therapy teams composed of a handler and a certified therapy dog or therapy cat, visit are variety of facilities and schools. Therapy Partner teams are registered with Delta Society Pet Partners.

Arizona    Top

Gabriel's Angels
http://www.petshelpingkids.org/

Based in Mesa, Arizona, this group has over 85 Certified Pet Therapy Teams that regularly visit valley shelters and preschools that help children from crisis situations.

Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale
http://www.petsonwheelsscottsdale.com

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, this group of 120 volunteer-pet teams visits health care centers in Scottsdale -- nursing homes, adult day care centers, rehabilitation hospitals, a cancer center, classes for developmentally challenged children, and the homebound. It also provides pet safety talks to children in Scottsdale's elementary schools.

Companion Animal Association of Arizona
http://www.caaainc.org/

This Scottsdale, Arizona based organization offers Social/Pet Therapy Animal Programs visiting elderly, sick, and disabled people in hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities.

Flagstaff Medical Center Caring Canines
http://www.flagstaffmedicalcenter.com/OurServices/ComplementaryServices/CaringCanines

Flagstaff Medical Center offers an inpatient animal assisted-activity program.

Flagstaff Kennel Club K-9 Drill Team
http://www.flagstaffkennelclub.org/DrillTeam.html

This team is active the Flagstaff Arizona area performing in parades and similar community events as part of their pet therapy activities.

PAWS - Pets Are Warm Support Yavapai Regional Medical Center
http://www.yrmc.org/departments/volunteers/paws.aspx

Serving the Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley areas in Arizona.

Arkansas    Top

California    Top

S*M*A*R*T Dogs
http://www.smartdogs.org/

Based in Piedmont, California, this organization covers much of the East San Francisco Bay Area. Pets of all kinds can be temperament and health tested for visits to a variety of residential care facilities and hospitals.

Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support)
http://orangecountyspca.org/paws-pet-assisted-therapy

This Huntington Beach, California organization offers a variety of volunteer opportunities including pet assisted therapy.

Animal Health Foundation
http://www.animalhealthfoundation.net/how-we-help/pet-partners-read.html

The teams visit hospitals, assisted living facilities and children's schools in Southern California.

Ohlone Humane Society "Hug a Pet"
http://www.ohlonehumanesociety.org/info/display?PageID=7707

The Ohlone Humane Society in Fremont, California, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities including their pet visitation program, "Hug a Pet".

Prescription: Pets
http://www.prescriptionpets.org/

Based in Redding this group has developed and conducted numerous workshops for Pet Partner certification, and implements a continuous mentoring program for beginning Pet Partner teams in Northern California. Covers facilities in Tehama, Shasta, and Humboldt Counties in California.

Pet-Assisted Therapy at the San Diego Humane Society
http://www.sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=abt_PAT

This San Diego, California, program shares animals with people of all ages in facilities such as convalescent homes, hospitals, mental health centers, abused children's homes and juvenile detention centers. Volunteers bring warmth and love to people who aren't able to experience the joys of pet ownership.

Pet Pals
http://www.highdesertobedienceclub.org/pages/therapy.htm

Based in Lancaster, California Pet Pals is just one activity of the High Desert Obedience Club.

 
Los Angeles SPCA Animal Assisted Therapy
http://spcala.com/volunteer/aat.php

Providing a variety of visiting opportunities in the Los Angeles, California area this group does its own certification.

Share Program
http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/ProgramsServices/SHARE.html

This program from the Marin Humane Society (California) has expanded beyond animal assisted therapy and also helps seniors and people with AIDS who still live at home with their animal companions.

Paws for Healing
http://www.pawsforhealing.org/

Based in Napa, California, Dogs and handlers are screened, evaluated, and trained. After successfully fulfilling the Paws for Healing requirements, they become a certified canine assisted therapy team and are then assigned to an established program in one of the participating Napa Valley-area health care facilities. A regular newsletter covers topics of general interest to volunteers, continuing education and emerging issues.

Love On 4 Paws
http://www.loveon4paws.org/

Based in the Rancho Palos Verdes, California area this group has provided animal-assisted therapy programs for the Los Angeles Unified School District Department of Special Education, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Shriners Children's Hospital.

Therapy Pets
http://www.therapypets.org/

TherapyPets facilitates animal-assisted therapy operates in the greater San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area. TherapyPets has set guidelines for evaluation, registration, and visiting etiquette for dogs. TherapyPet Volunteer Teams may visit facilities on their own schedule or with other TherapyPet volunteer teams.

Paws and Hearts
http://pawsandhearts.org/

This Palm Springs, California organization covers most to the Coachella Valley. Volunteers visit convalescent homes, senior centers, day care centers, Alzheimer's facilities and anywhere a senior might benefit from a loving visit with a dog or cat.

 
Lend A Heart Animal-Assisted Therapy, Inc.
http://www.lendaheart.org/

This Sacramento, California organization provides Animal Assisted Therapy to a variety of local facilities. As is common in local organizations teams visit as a group and are not certified to go out on their own.

 
San Diego Humane Society: Programs: Pet-Assisted Therapy
http://www.sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=abt_PAT

Based in San Diego, California the program is designed to share animals with people of all ages in facilities such as convalescent homes, hospitals, mental health centers, abused children's homes and juvenile detention centers

San Francisco SPCA Animal Assisted Therapy Program
http://www.sfspca.org/programs-services/animal-assisted-therapy

The SF SPCA volunteers take SF SPCA Program animals or their own pets on the visits: dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits - even cats. These AAT visits of this San Francisco, California, organization provide services to clients in hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric clinics and special schools.

Pet Assisted Therapy Services (Furry Friends)
http://www.furryfriends.org/

Operating in San Jose California, this group covers Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, Volunteers take their temperament tested pets on visits to people who live in various kinds of institutions, e.g. nursing homes, facilities for disabled or seriously ill children, hospital rehabilitation wards, the Children's Shelter, psychiatric facilities, etc.

Peninsula Humane Society Pet Assisted Therapy Program
http://www.peninsulahumanesociety.org/involved/#PetAssistedTherapy

The Pet Assisted Therapy Program visits facilities such as hospitals and long-term care homes in San Mateo County, California.

 
H.A.L.O. Angel Ears
http://furrerbies.homestead.com/therapydogs.html

Homeless Animals Lifeline Organization (H.A.L.O) runs a non-profit rescue program in East Contra Costa County. The therapy teams work with children at local libraries (AAA) and visit residents at hospitals, rehab centers and board and care facilites (AAT).

 
Share-A-Pet San Francisco
http://www.sf.shareapet.org/

Share-A-Pet provides pet assisted therapy to nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, childrens' centers and other care facilities. Share-A-Pet recruits, trains and registers pet-assisted therapy teams.

Paula Kent Meehan Pawsitive Pet Program at Saint John's Health Center
http://california.providence.org/saint-johns/about/volunteers/pawsitive-pet-program/

The Paula Kent Meehan Pawsitive Pet Program is comprised of Dog and Handler Teams that visit at Saint John's Health Center. For teams to qualify, the handler and dog must become a registered member of the Delta Society's Pet Partner Program. Sstaff is available to help you through the process. The handler must also become a Saint John's Health Center volunteer and be accepted into the program.

4 Paws Therapy Dogs
http://www.tdifresno.org/

A Fresno-area chapter of Therapy Dogs International. Local group of TDI handlers, meets monthly, activities, practice TDI tests, training help.

Loving Animals Providing Smiles
http://www.lovinganimalsprovidingsmiles.org/

Loving Animals Providing Smiles (LAPS) volunteers in ongoing programs with seniors in assisted living, at-risk teens, elementary school-aged children with special needs and those needing help with reading skills. Based in Napa, California, LAPS maintains programs in Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties.

Colorado    Top

Prescription Pet Program
http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/give/volunteer/pet.aspx

The Children's Hospital in Denver, Colorado offers a a dog-assisted therapy and visitation program.

Denver Pet Partners
http://www.denverpetpartners.org/

This program in Denver, Colorado is a Delta Society affiliate visiting facilities in the metro Denver and Boulder/Longmont area.

Human-Animal bond in Colorado
http://www.habic.cahs.colostate.edu/

HABIC teams serve elementary and middle schools, long-term care centers, and hospital and hospice facilities in the Meto Denver area. Evaluation and testing of teams is based on HABIC guidelines.

Larimer Animal People Partnership
http://www.colapp.org/

This Delta Society affiliate provides social visits in the Fort Collins area.

 
Colorado Therapy Animals
http://www.meetup.com/Colorado-Therapy-Animals/

Most members are Delta Pet Partners, active with hospital, hospice and nursing home visits and children's reading programs. This Lafayette, Colorado group provides Delta workshops, evaluations and mentoring.

Heeling Partners of the Roaring Fork Valley
http://www.heelingpartners.org/index2.html

Heeling Partners are Delta Society certified pet partner teams that make visits to patients in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted care facilities. They also help improve the reading skills of children by being canine reading buddies through local library and school literacy programs.

K9 c.a.r.e.s. (Canine Assisted Reduction of Eventful Stress)
http://www.k9cares.org

Serving greater metro Denver providing canine-assisted therapy with Hospital and
Assisted Living programs, advanced work with victim support in Law Enforcement and
the Criminal Justice System, literacy R.E.A.D. programs. K9 c.a.r.e.s. provides a
formal Therapy Dog Team Certification (not registration) program through a series of
handler/dog team training classes and comprehensive curriculum.

 

CONNECTICUT    Top

Tails of Joy Animal Assisted Therapy Group
http://www.tailsofjoy.org/

Tails of Joy is based in the Union Connecticut area. Actively visiting animals can be registered with either Therapy Dogs International (TDI), or Delta Society Pet Partners.

Soul Friends, Inc.
http://www.soul-friends.org/

This Wallingford, Connecticut organization provides both clinical Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Humane Education to children and adolescents.

DC    Top

Delaware    Top

PAWS for People
http://www.PAWSforPeople.org/

PAWS for People is a non-profit, volunteer organization serving New Castle County, Delaware; Elkton, Maryland; and West Grove, Pennsylvania.

Faithful Friends Pet Therapy Program
http://www.faithfulfriends.us/pet-therapy-program

Volunteers visit 45+ nursing homes, schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities and similar facilities in the Sussex county area of Delaware.

 

Florida    Top

SPCA of Central Florida - Pet Assisted Therapy
http://www.ohs-spca.org/volunteer.htm

The SPCA of Central Florida provides a wide variety of volunteer opportunities including taking social therapy animals to residents of nursing homes, adult day care centers and hospitals.

Share-A-Pet
http://www.shareapet.org/

Share-A-Pet provides pet assisted therapy to nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, childrens' centers and other care facilities. This organization is currently primarily in Florida, New England and California (San Francisco). The organizational goal is "to see qualified Share-A-Pet teams spreading love within care facilities in every State."

Therapy and Service K-9s, Inc.
http://www.task-9.com/

Trains therapy dogs for volunteer work and for working in a mental health setting.
Also trains psychiatric service dogs and works with the clients who need them.

Brevard Therapy Dogs
http://www.Brevardtherapydogs.com

Located in Brevard County, Florida area this group currently visits assisted-living facilities, nursing homes and a hospital. Dogs are certified under guidelines established by Therapy Dogs, Inc.

Space Coast Therapy Dogs
http://www.spacecoasttherapydogs.org/INDEX.HTM

Operating in the Brevard County, Florida area volunteers visit the elderly in nursing homes, patients in hospitals, and disabled children. Dogs are certified under guidelines established by Therapy Dogs, Inc. was http://www.spacecoasttherapydogs.com

Sunshine Independent And Therapy Dogs Inc
http://therapydog.tripod.com/

Interlachen, Florida

Pet Therapy Volunteer, Humane Society of Greater Miami.
http://www.humanesocietymiami.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=21

The Humane Society of Greater Miami, Florida, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities including a visiting pet therapy program.

 
Pet Therapy of South Florida
http://pettherapyofsouthflorida.org/

Based in the Boca Raton, Florida area.

Paws For Smiles
http://www.pawsforsmiles.org/

Paws for Smiles, is a group of volunteers dedicated to bringing smiles to nursing homes, hospices, hospitals and schools in South Florida through therapy dogs registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc.

Star Bright Therapy Dogs
http://www.starbrightdogs.org/index.html

Based in Port St. Lucie, FL handler and dog teams go through an extensive training and evaluation process. Once complete, the team is eligible to become members of The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc.

Sunshine on a Leash
http://www.sunshineonaleash.org/

Volunteers visit hospitals, cancer centers, adult day care, Assisted Living facilities and Alzheimer facilities in Jupiter, Tequesta, Palm Beach Gardens, Stuart and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Be an Angel Therapy Dogs Ministry
http://www.beanangeltherapydogs.org/

This group is based in the Seminole County, Florida Orlando Metro Area. They visit: Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Adult Day Care, Ronald McDonald House, Give Kids The World Village, Orlando VA Medical Center Nursing Home, Orange County Library System 'Paws to Read' program.

Coach Dog, Inc.
http://www.coachdog.org/Programs2.html

Coach Dog, Inc. is a 501 (3) (c) non profit organization providing animal assisted therapy to children in need in schools in Martin and Palm Beach Counties, FL

 

Georgia    Top

Happy Tails Pet Therapy, Inc.
http://www.happytailspets.org/

This group based in the Atlanta, Georgia area serves various nursing homes, hospices, children's hospitals, rehab clinics, special events, youth development centers, psychiatric
hospitals and children's shelters.

Dreamworkers, Inc.
http://www.dogsaver.org/dreamworkers/

Volunteers for this group serving the Metropolitan Atlanta area provide Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities in a variety of facilities including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and schools. Teams make regular visits in Dallas, Douglasville, and Rome, Ga. There are also teams outside the Cobb, Paulding, and Douglas County area that have been certified through Dreamworkers, Inc. and make visits at facilities in their communities.

READing Paws / CAREing Paws
http://www.READingPaws.org
http://www.CAREingPaws.org

READing Paws operates primarily in Georgia but also is involved in literacy programs in Alabama, Florida, and Middle Tennessee. The group works to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of nationally registered therapy animal-owner/handler teams as literacy mentors.

CAREing Paws, Inc. is a local group of registered therapy teams in Georgia that conduct visits in places such as nursing homes, hospitals, libraries and schools.

 

Illinois    Top

Chenny Troupe
http://www.chennytroupe.org/

This Chicago, Illinois organization offers a wide variety of pet therapy and animal assisted activities programs. Volunteers can work with troubled teens, people facing new physical challenges, or filling a variety of other needs.

Assisi Animal Foundation and Shelter; Pet Therapy Program
http://www.assisi.org/therapy.html

An animal shelter based in Crystal Lake, Illinois also has a pet visitation program. While cats are often used in therapy programs I can't remember a site that uses both cats and dogs, but pictures mostly cats. This is good, as it reminds people that cats can do it too.

Edward Hospital & Health Services Pet Therapy Program
http://www.edward.org/body.cfm?id=110&oTopId=110

This program serves Edward Hospital & Health Services in Naperville, IL. Teams undergo 12 hrs of specific training and then certification from Therapy Dogs, Inc.

Sit Stay Read!
http://www.sitstayread.org/

SIT STAY READ! is a volunteer reading assistance dog program for children in the Chicago area. Their mission is to improve literacy skills and foster a love of animals by partnering reading assistance dogs with children.

Adventures With Bailey
http://AdventuresWithBailey.org

Adventures With Bailey (AWB) is a volunteer Illinois Not-For-Profit 501(c)(3) public charity serving Chicago’s North Shore to provide animal assisted therapy and related animal-based activity free of charge.

 

 

Indiana    Top

Love on a Leash/Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy, "healing paws" Chapter
http://www.loveonaleashindy.org

We are a group of volunteers that share the love of our pets with others.

Kansas    Top

Ft. Leavenworth Human Animal Bond Program
http://www.ftleavenworthhab.org/

Individuals and "teams" go on scheduled visits to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, area hospitals, schools, various types of health care facilities and convalescent centers. ...

Kentucky    Top

Pawsibilities Unleashed Pet Therapy of Kentucky
http://www.pawsibilitiesunleashed.org/

Service Dog, Therapy Dog and Companion Pet Training

Louisiana    Top

Visiting Pet Program
http://www.visitingpetprogram.org/

This New Orleans, Louisiana, based organization offers animal assisted activities and animal assisted therapy in the greater New Orleans area.

Maryland    Top

National Capital Therapy Dogs,Inc.
http://www.nctdinc.org/

National Capital Therapy Dogs, Inc. (NCTD) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-based organization that provides Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) services in the Maryland/DC area. While most of our animal teammates are dogs, we also work with cats and other domesticated animals.

Pets on Wheels of Prince George's County
http://www.pgpetsonwheels.org

This Prince George's County, Maryland organization provides pet visitation for residents & senior citizens of nursing care facilities; assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, and schools for handicapped children

Fidos For Freedom, Inc.
http://www.fidosforfreedom.org
 

Fidos For Freedom is a nonprofit all-volunteer assistance dog training organization. Their therapy dog volunteers and their own dogs attend special classes where they are trained to participate in pet therapy programs as hospitals and nursing homes in the Laurel, MD area.

Karma Dogs
http://karmadogs.org/

Karma Dogs is a non-profit org that rehabilitates special rescue dogs and turns them into therapy dogs. We focus on our literacy program and working with the developmentally disabled, with a special interest in working with autistic children.

Massachusetts    Top

Caring Canines
http://www.caringcanines.org/

Caring Canines is a Boston, Massachusetts area pet visitation program. The program provides group visits to nursing homes, hospitals, adult day care programs and assisted living facilities.

New England Pet Partners
http://www.newenglandpetpartners.org/

Covering parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont.

 

Michigan    Top

West Michigan Therapy Dogs
http:// www.wmtd.org

This organization is a group of AAA/AAT volunteers in the western county region of the State of Michigan, USA.

 

Minnesota    Top

Helping Paws
http://www.helpingpaws.org/index.htm

This organization primarily focuses on service dogs but it also offers classes in animal assisted activities. Programs cover parts of Minnesota and northeast Wisconsin.

Twin Cities Tail-Waggers
http://www.tcotc.com/tags/therapy-dog-classes

This organization trains and provides volunteer visiting dog/owner teams to the Twin Cities community of Minnesota.

Bark Avenue on Parade,Inc.
http://www.barkavenue.org/

This organization operates in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of Minnesota conducting pet assisted therapy visits to hospitals, nursing homes and senior residences. Dog and handler teams must be registered with one of the national therapy dog organizations.

Minnesota Therapy Animals
http://www.mntherapyanimals.com/

Includes a list of Minnesota facilities offering AAA/AAT Animal Assisted Activities and/or Animal Assisted Therapy Training. 

Mississippi    Top

Missouri    Top

Pet Therapy of the Ozarks, Inc
http://pettherapyozarks.org/

Pet Therapy of the Ozarks, Inc. based in Springfield, Missouri provides emotional therapy visits to nursing homes, hospitals, schools, prisons and other facilities.

 

Nebraska    Top

Midlands Pet Therapy
http://www.midlandspettherapy.com

 

Domesti-PUPS
http://www.domesti-pups.org

Domesti-PUPS is a volunteer nonprofit organization providing canine pet therapy visitations in Nebraska (and in Iowa, Colorado, Alabama, Kansas, Indiana and Ohio). Visitations are provided for a variety of populations including the elderly, K-12 students, children and adults with emotional, developmental or physical disabilities. After completing a 9-month comprehensive training certification process, volunteers may choose to provide traditional pet therapy visitations (Petting-PUPS), or forge ahead in more specific areas such as classroom pet therapy (Edu-PUPS), reading assistance for children (Reading-PUPS) or faith-based pet therapy (Praising-PUPS).

Nevada    Top

K-9 Therapists of Las Vegas
http://www.K9TLV.com

K-9 Therapy Group of Las Vegas, Nevada, is dedicated to bringing comfort to patients, their families and the hospital/facility personnel that care for the patients.

New Hampshire    Top

Northeast Rehab Hospital Animal Facilitated Program
http://www.northeastrehab.com/features/animal-facilitated-therapy.htm

Northeast Rehab Hospital in Salem, New Hampshire, has developed and maintained a very active Animal Facilitated Therapy Program. Animals are used within the context of traditional treatment sessions with physical, occupational and speech therapists. Additionally, the animals also make social visits to patients, delivering mail, going on rounds and participating in many community educational presentations.

 
New England Pet Partners, Inc.
http://www.newenglandpetpartners.org

New England Pet Partners, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) active in parts of Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Maine. Participants are registered with Delta's Pet Partner Program.

New Jersey    Top

St. Hubert's Paws for People
http://www.sthuberts.org/page.aspx?pid=340

This Madison, New Jersey organization offers a wide variety of animal related services including pet visits to a variety of health care facilities.

Pet Therapy Program of the Animal Adoption Center
http://www.animaladoption.com/about/more/detail.asp?recid=1

Operating out of the Animal Adoption Center, Lindewald, New Jersey.

Leashes of Love AAA
http://www.meetup.com/leashesoflove/about/

The Leashes of Love AAA Therapy Group is a volunteer group of qualified handlers and their dogs organized to provide comfort and companionship to those in nursing homes, hospitals and correctional institutions.

Friends Fur Life
http://www.friendsofsuzanne.com/id42.html

Based in the Clinton, New Jersey area, this group provides support to cancer patients either at the hospital while undergoing chemo or at the patients home.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey
http://www.caregivervolunteers.org/our-services/caregivers-canine-program

 Therapy dog visits to homebound frail, elderly who desire companionship and to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their Caregivers. Very flexible schedules, very appreciative recipients of visits. All clients pre-screened.

New Mexico    Top

Llama-Assisted Therapies and Play
http://www.llamadeara.com/llamatherapy.htm

This Medanales, New Mexico, group offers Llama-assisted therapy involving fun interaction among families, couples, individuals, and children and the llamas at Llama Deara.

New York    Top

Puppies Behind Bars
http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/

This program in New York State's Bedford Hills Correctional Facility assigns puppies to the inmates at this maximum-security prison for women to be raised as guide dogs. Volunteer 'puppy sitters' take the dogs into their homes once or twice a month to expose them to things they won't experience in prison.

The Good Dog Foundation
http://www.thegooddogfoundation.org/

This animal assisted therapy organization in the New York Tri-State area evaluates dogs based on their performance throughout the six session training course. The organization serves a variety of populations such as geriatric, adult medical and psychiatric, pediatrics, physical rehabilitation and terminal patients in hospice.

Hudson Valley Humane Society's Visiting Pet Program
http://www.HudsonValleyVisitingPets.com
 

In Rockland (New York) and Bergen (New Jersey) Counties, volunteers from the Hudson Valley Humane Society's Visiting Pet Program provide pet visits to nursing home residents, hospital patients, retirement home residents and adult day care participants. The group is a Delta Society affiliate member and an affiliate of Reading Education Assistance Dogs.

ASPCA, an affiliate of the Delta Society
http://www.aspca.org/animalassistedtherapy

ASPCA's Pet Partner teams are assisted with placement in facilities throughout New York City based on where they live, their interests, and the appropriate environment for both handler and animal.

Pet Partners of Syracuse,Inc. an Affiliate of Delta Society
http://www.petpartnersofsyracuse.org

Pet Partners of Syracuse, Inc.,an Affiliate of Delta Society participates in AAA/AAT and R.E.A.D. provides services at several schools, health care facilities, and libraries throughout Central New York and the greater Syracuse area.

North Carolina    Top

K9 Buddies, Inc.
http://www.k9buddies.org/

K9 Buddies is a all volunteer, non profit organization that provides certified AAT and AAA teams. They visit the Federal Correctional Institute in Butner, NC and various hospitals, schools, retirement communities, and assisted living facilities. They also provide public education on child/dog safety issues, responsible dog ownership, training, and common behavior issues.

Helping Paws International
http://www.helpingpawsintl.org/helpnav3.html

Helping Paws International trains, tests, and evaluates pets & their owners to be
certified & insured therapy dogs, reading therapy dogs, & assistance animal teams
that volunteer in all areas of health care, schools, children and community
programs. B.A.R.K.S (Bonding Animals, Reading, Kids, & Safety) therapy reading
dog program is a dog/cat-based literacy curriculum program.

 

NORTH DAKOTA    Top

 

 

Ohio    Top

Dog Visitation Program Overview, Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/giving/volunteer/dog-visitation/default/

The Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati Dog Visitation program recruits, screens, and trains teams of volunteer dogs and their handlers to visit patients.

Central Ohio Good Shepherds - Therapy Dogs
http://www.centralohiogoodshepherds.com/

Columbus Ohio Chapter of Therapy Dogs International.

PetPALS of the Savvy Riders 4-H Club
http://community-2.webtv.net/lm4-h/petpals/

PetPALS is an intergenerational program linking young people and their pets with senior adults. Trained Master4-H PetPALS volunteers teach youth the skills needed to interact with residents in healthcare facilities. Applying the power of human-animal bond, youths learn to train and prepare their pets so the youth-pet teams can participate in animal assisted activities. After certified the PetPALS group make visits to nursing homes, assisted living facilities etc. Let us know if ... you are interested in joining our group or would like some of our certified teams visit with you or your facility.

 
K9s For Compassion
http://k9sforcompassion.tripod.com/

An Ohio group with a visiting program and Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) .

 
Angel Paws
http://www.angelpawstherapy.org/

A registered Delta Society Pet Partners, Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) affiliate & 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit organization Providing Comprehensive, Standards Based Therapeutic Health Care Visitation, Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) Literacy Mentoring Programs & Community Outreach in Central Ohio since 2003.

 

Oklahoma    Top

Paws For Friendship, Inc., Oklahoma City Chapter
http://www.pawsforfriendshipinc.org/

This group certifies its own volunteers to visit nursing homes, assisted living facilities, Veteran's Center, hospitals and hospices.

PawPals, Inc
http://www.tulsadogs.com/pawpals/

PawPals, Inc. is the Therapy dog subsidiary of Tulsa Dog Training Club. The members of Paw-Pals, Inc. arid their dogs visit nursing homes and facilities for the mentally or physically handicapped, to share friendship and canine companionship.

Creatures And Kids, Inc
http://www.creaturesandkids.org/

This Oklahoma group uses animals and handler teams to visit various facilities to present programs directed at humane education and violence prevention.

Oregon    Top

People and Animals Who Serve
http://www.paawsoregon.org/

P.A.A.W.S. (People and Animals Who Serve), operates in the Eugene, Oregon area and is an affiliate of Delta Society.

HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR)
http://www.hopeaacr.org/

This is a specialized group based out of Eugene Oregon, but with teams in a variety of places in the United States. They assist mental health counselors in the emotional rescue, recovery and on going support of individuals who have been affected by crisis and/or disaster. Certified HOPE AACR Teams volunteer with their local disaster response teams and are ready to respond on a local and/or national level

Pennsylvania    Top

The Gress Mountain Ranch
http://www.gressmountainranch.org

The group has operated for more than 20 years but only recently created a web site. They operate in the Orefield, PA area.

KPETS - Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services
http://www.kpets.org

KPETS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to promote Animal Assisted
Therapy/Animal Assisted Activities (AAT/AAA) by recruiting, educating, uniting and
coordinating volunteers with the facilities, social agencies and special-needs
programs whose clients may benefit from the healing and rehabilitating effects of
the animal/human bond.

Rhode Island   Top

Professional Pet Assisted Therapy
http://www.windwalkercoalition.org

Pet Assisted Therapy sessions which are individually based, goal oriented treatments. Pets are family therapy petes and PPAT teams are credentialed with Windwalker and graduates of the DJ PPAT University Certificate Course

South Carolina    Top

SCDogs Therapy Group
http://www.scdogs.org/

This organization provides animal assisted activities and animal assisted therapy in the Clemson, South Carolina area.

Paws2Care
http://www.paws2care.com

This group visits nursing homes, behavorial hospitals, Shriners Hospital ect. in upstate South Carolina.

Tennessee    Top

Helping Hounds
http://www.helpinghounds.org/

The program serves the Memphis, Tennessee area with programs in Animal Assisted Therapy. They have independent chapters in Paducah, Kentucky; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Leesburg, Florida

Mid South Therapy Dogs
http://www.midsouththerapydogs.org

"Mid South Therapy Dogs" based in Tennessee is a Delta Society Affiliate. The group provides animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy at hospitals, schools, libraries, care centers and youth facilities throughout the Mid South.

Helping Paws
http://www.helpingpawsinfo.com/

Animal assisted activities in the Cleveland, Tennessee area, dogs travel to schools, after school programs and churches to assist the teacher/counselor in teaching lessons. Topics include: Character Education, Bullying, Anger and Stress Management, Life Skills, Divorce, Grief,

TN Safety Spotters
http://tnsafetyspotters.org

TN Safety Spotters is a registered therapy dog group for deaf dogs that travel the entire Mid South area doing Animal-Assisted interactions in hospitals, abuse centers, correctional facilities along with Canine Public Education, teaching Fire Safety and Dog Bite Prevention. We provide a R.E.A.D. program and are available in the West TN area. CGC instruction and testing available. This is a 501 (c)(3)nonprofit charitable organization. Members and Volunteers welcome!

Texas    Top

Therapy Tails on Wheels(c)1995
http://www.vvm.com/~petmydog/about.htm

This organization is based in Copperas Cove, Texas providing pet therapy to the Central Texas area.

 
SPCA of Texas: Compassion Connection
http://www.spca.org/page.aspx?pid=253

The SPCA of Texas for Dallas and Collin County, Texas, offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, Included is the Compassion Connection program of pet visitations, animal assisted activities and animal assisted therapy. Pets such as birds and rabbits as well as cats and dogs are used in this program

Caring Critters
http://www.caringcritters.org/

Caring Critters is a Houston-area organization of people and their animals participating in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) activities.

K-9 FRIENDS Visiting Therapy Dogs
http://www.k9dogtherapy.homestead.com/pg1index.html

This Lewisville, Texas group visits several nursing homes in Lewisville, Flower Mound, Denton and Carrollton.

Pets Share
http://www.pets-share.org

This Texas group offers a variety of rehabilitation related activities.

 
Hearts in Harmony Animal Assisted Therapy Group
http://www.heartsinharmonytx.org

Based in the Flint, Texas area this group focuses on at-risk youth.

Paws 4 Hearts Working Therapy Dogs
http://www.paws4hearts.net

Evaluates and trains pet assistance therapy terams in the San Antonio and surrounding areas. Provides services to hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers, military facilities, schools, and other specialized facilities.

 

Utah    Top

 
Intermountain Therapy Animals.
http://www.therapyanimals.org/

  Intermountain Therapy Animals trains volunteer/pet teams to visit the full spectrum of facilities and patients in hospitals, care centers, rehab centers, schools. We have 300+ teams. We are also the founders of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.), now supporting children in 49 states and beyond.

Vermont    Top

Caring Canines Therapy Dog Club of Southern Vemont 
http://www.therapydogvt.com/index.html

A non-profit therapy dog club with aproximately 50 dedicated therapy dog teams who volunteer their time in Assisted Living Facilities, Nursing Homes, and a dog reading programs at the local library.

Virginia    Top

Ladies with Leashes & Men with Mutts
http://ladieswithleashes.tripod.com 

Based in the Bedford, Virigina area this group offers canine assisted therapy to residents of rest homes and other facilities.

Dogs On Call
http://www.chai.vcu.edu/programs_services/becomedocteam.htm

The Dogs On Call volunteer progam is a Virginia Commonwealth University program. The program is coordinated by the Center for Human-Animal Interaction in collaboration with the VCU Health System Volunteer Services. The purpose of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction is to provide a formal structure for and promote interdisciplinary and interinstitutional research, clinical practice, and educational activities related to the human-animal relationship.

Paws4Hearts
http://www.paws4hearts.org;

This Virginia based group provides nursing home / health care facility visits and R.E.A.D progams in schools and libraries. Occasional training classes offered.

 

Washington    Top

People-Pet Partnership: Companion Animal Partnership
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-pppp/

Operating out of Washington State University school of Veterinary Medicine the Companion Animal Partnership program provides animal-assisted therapy/activities to area health care facilities, hospitals and mental health centers. This program is a Delta Society affiliate.

Prison Pet Partnership Program
http://members.tripod.com/~prisonp/index.html

This Gig Harbor, Washington program occurs primarily inside the walls of the Washington State Corrections Center for Women where inmates reach out to help others by training special dogs to assist a disabled person. Volunteers currently assist by taking the dogs out into the community for important socialization training prior to placement.

Sirius Healing
http://www.siriushealing.com/

Based in the Kirkland, Washington area, Sirius Healing offers a variety of therapy animal programs.

Healing Paws
http://www.healingpaws.com/

This group operates in the Kirkland, Washington area. Healing Paws provides professional animal-assisted therapy on a contractual basis with local health-care institutions. Teams are certified under the guidelines of the Delta Society.

Purrs 'n' Paws Pet Therapy Program
http://www.olywa.net/shelter/purrs.htm

Located in Olympia,Washington the Thurston County Animal Shelter offers a variety of volunteer opportunities including a visiting pet therapy program.

Reading with Rover
http://www.readingwithrover.org/

Reading With Rover is a community-based literacy program volunteering in the schools, bookstores and libraries of Puget Sound area of Washington State.

Pawsitive Outreach
http://www.lynndees.com/Pawsitive%20Outreach.html

Pawsitive Outreach is a Delta Society Affiliate Group. We provide facility evaluations and education about the Pet Partner program. We provide community awareness and education about animal-assisted activities and therapies at fairs, seminars and pet related events. We provide Delta Society Team Evaluations quarterly, mentor new teams and refer Pet Partner teams to appropriate facilities for programming.

Dogs On Call
http://www.dogsoncall.com

Dogs On Call is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization of certified therapy dog teams available for venues/facilities who want to include AAA/AAT. Dogs On Call provides program design and implementation services as well as finding suitable teams for the work requested.

Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas
http://www.RojoTheLlama.com

We currently have three therapy llamas and two alpacas that visit hospitals, schools, senior communities, and rehab facilities within the Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA area. Our animals have completed nearly 400 therapy visits within the past 4 years, and also participate in many special events in our community that benefit charitable causes every year.

Washington D.C.    Top

People Animals Love
http://www.peopleanimalslove.org/

PAL provides animal assisted therapy for residents and patients in nursing care facilities, hospices, hospitals, schools, and institutions across the DC Metro area. PAL will certify dogs, birds and various 'pocket pets', such as guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters. The group does its own screening.

West Virginia    Top

 

 

Wisconsin    Top

 
Pets Helping People, Inc.
http://petshelpingpeople.org/

This New Berlin, Wisconsin organization serves southeastern Wisconsin offering Volunteer Pet Facilitated Therapy. Passing the initial CGC/TDI evaluations makes the pet eligible for additional classes to prepare the pet for the actual visiting experience.

Therapy Dogs of Central Wisconsin
http://www.wi-tdi-dogs.org

This Wisconsin organization is a chapter of Therapy Dogs International.

Dogs On Call, Inc
http://www.dogsoncall.org/

Serving southern Wisconsin Dogs On Call provides basic and advanced training for interested volunteers and their pets; Delta Society's Pet Partners® evaluation; a matching service for medical, residential, and educational facilities requesting visits from therapy dogs and similar services. 

Compassionate Canines, Inc.
http://www.compassionatecanines.org

Neenah, WI Compassionate Canines, Inc. provides area registered therapy dog teams opportunities for meaningful visits to people of all ages in a variety of settings.

Health Heelers Therapy Dogs
http://www.HealthHeelers.com

Health Heelers provides AAT and AAA in healthcare, educational and community organizations in the greater Milwaukee area. Therapy Dog training and team mentoring is provided to all participants.

Guam    Top

 

Outside USA    Top

East Central Therapy Dogs;
http://www.ectd.ca

We have approximately 60 volunteer members with about 70 dogs visiting in our community, contributing 5000 volunteer hours each year. We visit all the nursing and retirement homes in Peterborough, Minden and Haliburton, VON day care centres, Community Living centres, local group homes and both locations of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. We also give presentations for service groups and youth groups. Wherever we are needed, we will be there.

Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta
http://www.pettherapysociety.com/

This group provides volunteer training and publishes "PAWS In Your Facility: A Guide To Planning Your Pet Therapy Program," a manual to assist facilities

Pets And Friends
http://www.petsandfriends.org/about/

Pets and Friends is working to ensure that people in facility care don't have to live without the comfort of companionship. Our long-running and highly successful pet visitation program touches thousands of lives each year?but there are still many elderly, sick and disabled residents who need our help.

BISHPets
http://www.braininjuryservices.com/services_bishpets.html

BISHPets is a service supported by Brain Injury Services of Hamilton (BISH). The program provides animal assisted activity and animal assisted therapy (AAA/AAT) to BISH participants and also to many agencies in the Hamilton community. The teams also partner with local libraries on their literacy assistance program for children called Paws for Reading.

Pet Access League Society
http://www.palspets.com/volunteer/

Based in Calgary this organization has over 400 volunteers making visits to a variety of facilities. Screening is available every couple months or so.

Therapy Dogs Incorporated, First St. John's Chapter
http://www.sja.ca/NFLD/CommunityServices/Programs/Pages/TherapyDogServices.aspx

This group in Newfoundland is a chapter of Therapy Dogs Incorporated . They visit a wide variety of facilities, but only dogs are certified for visits.

Ottawa Therapy Dogs
http://www.ottawatherapydogs.ca/

Based in Ottawa, Canada, this program provides Innovative materials for users of animal-assisted therapy working to improve the communication skills of men and women with aphasia.

 
Velmas Pets as Therapy
http://www.velmaspetsastherapy.com.au/

Based in Australia this group provides trained, accredited volunteer and pet teams to visit the people in nursing homes, retirement villages, aged care or health care facilities,

Pets for Therapy
http://www.gallerygiselle.com/pettherapy.htm

This Australia based program facilitates the provision of therapeutic, loving and caring visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, and schools, by volunteers with their friendly, temperamentally suitable, obedience trained and qualified dogs.

Animal Angels Foundation
http://www.animalangelsfoundation.com/

Animal Angels Foundation provides animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities to various organizations in and around Mumbai city,India.We work with a variety of populations ranging from developmentaly challenged individuals to people with emotional,physical or psychiatric illnesses. Our team of volunteers along with their pets regularly visit orphanages and old age homes.

More Therapy Dog Resources from Dogwise Books


The following links may also be of interest:

(1)  Promote visiting pets with a variety of visiting pet/therapy pet apparel, tote bags, bumper stickers and more from DogPlay Shops. Identify your team as a visiting pet or therapy pet team with custom shirts or pin buttons.

(2) Books and Videos - Selected books and videos for everyone from the person interested in how to train their dog for visiting to the professional counselor incorporating animals in a guided treatment program.

(3) Resources Links - Web sites providing information on how to train for visits, how to start your own group, or academic studies.

(4) Coursework and Education Links - Organizations providing formal training, academic credit, seminars and similar advanced training for the human half of the team.

(5) Stories and Article Links - Stories about pets on visits and press articles about human-animal bond programs including pet visiting program, animal assisted therapy, animal assisted activities, dogs in rehabilitation programs.

(6) Volunteer Organizations Links - Web sites maintained by organizations that are active in pet visitation programs.

(7) Networking Links .- Discussion groups, email lists, bulletin boards and similar resources for contacting individuals involved in therapy dog and similar programs.

(8) Related information:

Service Dog Links . Service dog information and resources. Therapy dogs are not service dogs. A service animal is assigned to provide assistance or support to a specific individual.

Special Program Links Information on organizations training dogs for rehabilitation therapy for prisoners, teens in trouble and related kinds of programs.

DogPlay's Visiting Pet Stuff

Check the other articles on therapy dogs, visiting pets and related topics.Oso icon to visiting pet index

Also see Books and Publications - How to train your dog, how to start a program, and more.
Help finding information of visiting pets and therapy dogs
Lost? PageList lists all the DogPlay pages. Check the Help page. Help

                   

The Truth About Dogs Series
Xylitol risk to your dog
Unexpected electric danger to your dog on the street

DogPlay Shops Mall Custom therapy shirts, mugs, buttons, stickers and other dog lover gifts: DogPlay Shops

Copyright © 1998-2008 Diane Blackman     Created: February 12, 1999     Updated December 29, 2012    

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