COMMUNITY SUPPORT Pet Partners Groups at the Local Level - STORIES OF LIVES IMPROVED BY POSITIVE HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS
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Fall 2021
STORIES OF LIVES IMPROVED BY POSITIVE HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS
COMMUNITY
SUPPORT
Pet Partners Groups at the Local Level
pg. 4
A Circle of Care in a Time of Grief pg. 10
World’s Largest Pet Walk 2021 pg. 14
President’s Letter, Advocacy, and more
The Pet Partners mission is to improve human health and
well-being through the human-animal bond.
A copy of the latest financial report, registration filed by this organization, and
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
a description of our programs and activities may be obtained by contacting
us at: 345 118th Ave SE, Suite 200, Bellevue, WA 98005, 425-679-5500.
Pet Partners was formed in Washington. If you are a resident of one of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE April Shepard
following states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state Central Garden & Pet
agency: Board Chair
Julie Lawless Lauren Sherman
Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL
INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER Elanco Animal Health Nike, Inc.
SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435- Board Vice-Chair Marcie Whichard
7352 (800-HELP-FLA), OR VISITING www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. North American Veterinary
REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR Dana Brooks
RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Registration #CH3226. Pet Food Institute Community
Georgia: A full and fair description of our programs and our financial Treasurer
statement summary is available upon request at our office and phone number HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND
Angel May
indicated above. ADVISORY BOARD
Nashville Entrepreneur Center
Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage, from the Office of the Secretary HABAB Chair
of State, State House, Annapolis, MD21401. (410) 974-5534. Secretary
Nancy R. Gee, PhD
Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Pet Partners Milton Pappas
Virginia Commonwealth University
may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling Klarna Media Services
1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply Sandra B. Barker, PhD
endorsement. Virginia Commonwealth University
BOARD MEMBERS
Nevada: Contributions may be tax deductible pursuant to the provisions of sec.
170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. §170(c). Brandon Antin Peter C. Canning, PhD
New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL VCA Inc. VetBio Partners, LLC
CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE Sarah Fergusson Chambless Steve Dale, CABC
OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST
REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE Fenwick & West LLP Steve Dale Pet World LLC
PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE Mary Craig, DVM Steven L. Feldman
STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE HABRI Foundation
ON THE INTERNET AT: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. Gentle Goodbye Veterinary Hospice
REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY Aubrey Fine, EdD Aubrey Fine, EdD
ENDORSEMENT. Cal State Polytechnic
Cal State Polytechnic
New York: Upon request, from the Attorney General’s Wilson P. Garone Gina Fisher, PhD
Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, Seattle University Megan Mueller, PhD
NY10005, 1-212-416-8686 or www.charitiesnys.com. Sophie L. Gibson Tufts University
VIVO360, Inc. Zenithson Ng, DVM, MS, DABVP
North Carolina: Financial information about this
Jeff Keune University of Tennessee
organization and a copy of its license are available from
Yesway Kerry E. Rodriguez, PhD
the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-919-814-5400.
Steve King Colorado State University
The license is not an endorsement by the state. American Pet Products Association
Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Pet
Sabrina E. B. Shuck, PhD
Partners may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by Kay D. Mooney, FSA, MAAA University of California, Irvine
calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not
Stan Owens Leslie Stewart, PhD, LPC
imply endorsement.
Spectrum Brands Idaho State University
Virginia: From the State Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of
Agricultural and Consumer Services, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Carryl Pierre-Drews
Washington: From the Secretary of State at 1-800-332-4483 or http://www. Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)
sos.wa.gov/charities/.
Gregg Scanlon
West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the
registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Marc Scarduffa Pet Partners
Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement. A-VAN-TI 425.679.5500
Wisconsin: A financial statement of the charitable organization disclosing
assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue and expenses for the preceding fiscal Brian Schwartz www.petpartners.org
year will be provided to any person upon request. SIZE & SIZE Capital
REGISTRATION WITH A STATE AGENCY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR IMPLY
ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THAT STATE.
PUBLICATION CREDITS:
Managing Editor: Elisabeth Van Every
Copyediting: Linda Dicus, Allison Younger
Contributors: Mary Bohmke; Mary Margaret Callahan; Taylor Chastain Griffin, PhD; Ashley Drew; C. Annie Peters; Traci Pryor; Elisabeth Van Every
Photos: • Page 3: Cat photo provided by Utah Pet Partners • Feature: Provided by Pet Partners groups as specified • Page 7: Provided by Pet Partners of Southern Arizona
• Page 10: Photo credit Greg Wilson • Page 13: Soldier and dog photo from Pixabay • Page 14: Pet of the Year photos from Pexels and Pixabay
• All other photos provided by Pet Partners and Pet Partners volunteers
Graphic Design: Laxman2creative
2 | Pet Partners | Fall 2021
A LET TER FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
C. ANNIE PETERS
gatherings. These events allowed many of amount of interest from prospective
you to share your creative virtual visiting handlers. (May I take a moment here? I
ideas. We were then able to pass those am reclaiming the word “unprecedented”
ideas along to our wonderful handlers who from my most hated COVID-19 term
may not have the presence of a local group. “unprecedented times” and using it in a
Everyone benefitted—most of all the clients positive way!)
served.
If you are an evaluator who is just getting
If your local community does not have a comfortable with the idea of returning
Community Partner or Community Group, to conducting in-person evaluations, our
you can read more about starting one in the Learning Experience staff of Charis, Lisa,
feature article, and then reach out to me and Moira are here to support you! We’ve
using the Contact Us option on our website taken numerous steps to support safety
at petpartners.org. I would love to speak and minimize risk at team evaluations.
with you about getting your community Your community needs the love of therapy
organized! animals now more than ever.
Of course none of this would be possible If you are a renewing or prospective handler
without our incredible and highly ready to be evaluated, please bear with us
appreciated volunteer team evaluators. We as we inch closer to normal, and show your
are projecting (and celebrating!) that during evaluators some love and support. We’re
this year, even with waiting for vaccines and eager to get you evaluated and ready to visit
then getting sucker-punched by the Delta again.
In this issue, we’re celebrating the variant, almost 3,600 evaluations will have
Some areas have been impacted by losing
importance of community through our safely taken place. That’s wonderful, and
use of facilities where evaluations were held.
Community Partners and Community a true testament to the commitment of
If you have access to a free, sizable space in
Groups. These volunteer-led groups of our evaluators, who felt they could safely
your community, please let your evaluators
registered handlers, evaluators, and continue this important work with the
know, or get in touch with us! Together
instructors provide additional local support appropriate precautions.
we can rebuild our robust Therapy Animal
to our dedicated handlers, from being Unfortunately, this is only about half of how Program community and welcome more
a point of contact for facilities looking many evaluations are required annually to teams who are eager to serve.
for therapy animal teams to mentoring, keep our Therapy Animal Program thriving.
fundraising, and sharing a sense of Before signing off for this issue, I want
We are faced with a backlog of handlers
camaraderie and support. to take a moment to acknowledge and
needing evaluations and an unprecedented
honor the tremendous sense of loss felt
As we have banded together to get throughout this difficult time. We’ve lost
through the last 20 months, our dear volunteers like Tom Olsen, Carolyn
Community Partners and Community Marr, John Arko, Molly Woodbury, and
Groups went the extra mile, keeping others. Everyone who had the opportunity
teams engaged locally and even to benefit from their contributions to their
enjoying the occasional Zoom happy communities through therapy animal work
hour. I had the pleasure of joining has been touched by their devotion. We’ve
a few of those and it’s always so also lost so many of our animal partners
much fun to see the real stars of our during this time. We’ve heard from so many
Therapy Animal Program. Thank you of you who think about the last visit you
to everyone who got their dog, cat, went on without knowing it was the last visit
bird, guinea pig, rabbit, or llama to for your therapy animal partner. We’re both
look into the camera and say hello! It saddened and uplifted by the wonderful
certainly helped me get through this photos you share with us and the stories of
difficult time. how your animals touched lives.
It was also important and gratifying Thank you to all of you, and good health
to stay in touch with our Community to you and your community, however you
Partner and Community Group define it.
leaders through our Town Hall
— Annie
Pet Partners | Fall 2021 | 3
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Pet Partners Groups at the Local Level
by Elisabeth Van Every
Pet Partners has 10,000 volunteers in animal teams, which increases the number Community Partner, it’s not a requirement,
communities all over the United States, and of teams in the community. And they can and many smaller groups thrive in their
in several other countries. Every therapy provide a focus and sense of community particular communities or settings.
animal team, team evaluator, volunteer for everyone who wants to support the vital
There are a number of reasons that local
instructor, and evaluation volunteer work of therapy animal visitation.
volunteers choose to form Pet Partners
is crucially important to bringing the
There is no requirement from Pet Partners groups. Many groups focus on a particular
benefits of the human-animal bond to their
that our volunteers be part of a local group, geographic area, or on a specific facility.
communities.
and the majority of Pet Partners volunteers Some volunteers want a way to connect
Most of these volunteers give their time are not associated with a local group. with other Pet Partners volunteers so they
and effort on an individual basis, which However, the option to be part of a group is can visit together. Some groups organize to
is how our Therapy Animal Program is something that many volunteers enjoy. make the presence of Pet Partners in their
designed: we want our volunteers to have community more visible. And some groups
The benefits of therapy animals have been
the opportunity to choose where they serve as networks that provide mentoring
especially important over the past year and
want to volunteer and how they structure for new therapy animal teams and help Pet
a half as we’ve dealt with the COVID-19
their volunteer time. This flexibility offers Partners volunteers connect with visiting
pandemic. In many communities, local Pet
our volunteers a wide range of volunteer opportunities, workshops, team evaluations,
Partners groups have played a significant
opportunities, and allows each individual and other needs.
role in ensuring that people still benefit
volunteer to have a unique impact in their
from the human-animal bond. We want to Many Pet Partners handlers first became
community.
highlight this work and why local groups volunteers after having personal
But Pet Partners does have an opportunity matter so much to their communities. experiences with therapy animal visits, and
for our volunteers to come together in local for some this led to a decision to create a
groups. These groups provide additional The Role of Pet local group. “Our original founding teams
options for volunteers who would like to became involved from personal experiences
work with other Pet Partners volunteers, Partners Groups with having pets visit family and friends
and help increase the impact of individual There are two types of local Pet Partners in care and hospital settings,” says Mary
volunteers. They can provide a coherent groups: Gilbert with Pet Partners of Central New
identity and a central point of contact for York. “The local numbers of teams grew
• Community Partners consist of 20 or
facilities seeking therapy animal visits, with the help of the wonderful people who
more registered Pet Partners teams and
including providing options for multiple became instructors and evaluators with Pet
at least one Pet Partners licensed team
species. They can help provide instruction Partners, allowing us to continue to grow to
evaluator.
and evaluations for prospective therapy serve our communities.”
• Community Groups consist of at least
Compassionate Paws, Inc. began after the
five registered Pet Partners teams, with
founder, Dr. D’Ann Downey, conducted
or without a Pet Partners licensed team
research on the effects companion animals
evaluator.
had on the health of certain populations.
Both types of groups can be found across “She wanted to bring alive the impact of
the country, and even outside the U.S., what she discovered and express it in the
and both types are important. Community community,” says board member Misty
Partners with many members can serve a Rigas.
larger geographic area and provide many
Kathy Murray with Visiting Pet Teams of
teams to meet a variety of needs, along with
South Mississippi says, “After Hurricane
offering evaluations to support both new
Katrina, our community was in distress and
and renewing teams. Community Groups
needed a special touch.” Local volunteers
can serve a specific area and give individual
wanting to provide therapy animal visits
therapy animal teams more visibility,
discovered there were no therapy animal
which can highlight their presence for the
groups on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.
community. While a Community Group
They created a group to serve the
can be a step along the way to becoming a
coastal Mississippi area and ensure their
4 | Pet Partners | Fall 2021
communities could benefit from the effects each other and to share what opportunities It's a very successful program that our
of therapy animals. were available in the community,” says Beth judges enthusiastically endorse.”
Kuoni with North Carolina Pet Partners.
Other groups developed as a result
“We also try to keep our group informed
of relationships with facilities. Becky
and have had speakers come to our
Jankowski, founder of PAWSitive Therapy
meetings to present on a variety of topics
Troupe, originally became a therapy
such as dog training, grooming, how to be
animal handler and team evaluator after
compassionate and listen well during visits,
experiencing how her dog comforted
veterinary issues, and more.”
her father at the end of his life; but she
was also a nurse at the Hines Veterans
Administration facility, and was asked to
pilot a “Pets for Vets” program there. Becky
says, “We started with just five teams, but
we expanded within a year to the adjoining
Loyola University Medical Center campus.
From that early start, we continued to
grow.”
Music City Pet Partners “has a long-
standing relationship with the Monroe
Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Utah Pet Partners “court dogs” teams pose for a
and Vanderbilt University Medical Center photo at the courthouse.
campus,” says activity director Ellie Wetzel, North Carolina Pet Partners volunteers Denver Pet Partners has built deep
and the group that formed from that at a group event. connections with their community, and in
relationship was then able to expand their 2019 they were asked to take part in the
Donna Jett with Pet Partners of Greater
services to other parts of the community. 20th anniversary gathering for survivors of
Ft. Worth says their purpose was “to get
like-minded people together to share the Columbine High School shooting. Teams
experiences and to learn from each other. were stationed outside the school to provide
The founding members were responsible support for survivors as they entered the
for mentoring a lot of the current members building. “One former student remarked
and the current members are responsible that she could not have entered the
for mentoring new and potential members.” school if we had not been there providing
This chain of knowledge ensures that emotional support,” says media director
experience gained by all volunteers will Laura Ackerman. “It was a deeply moving
continue to be passed forward. experience.”
Pet Partners of the Tennessee Valley is
Special Support for the a small group, with just nine teams, but
Community they are dedicated to providing visits for
their local Camp Rainbow, which provides
Local Pet Partners groups serve in summer camp experiences for children with
many of the same types of settings in serious medical needs.
Music City Pet Partners teams outside
Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital. their communities. Hospitals and other
healthcare facilities, assisted living and Wags for Wellness volunteers have a
Wags for Wellness at University Hospitals special activity for the Christmas season:
residential care facilities, campus and
Portage Medical Center is an example of a they gather on weekends to make fleece
workplace stress relief, and libraries and
Community Partner that formed specifically blankets that they donate to patients who
schools for Read With Me™ programs are
to serve the needs of a facility. Sandra will be spending the holiday in the hospital.
all common settings. But groups also have
Haskell, Manager of Volunteer Services at
unique and special ways they support their
the hospital, says, “The Wags for Wellness
individual communities.
program was formed as a joint collaboration
between local volunteers with therapy Executive director Deborah Carr says that
dogs and the hospital's Volunteer Services a particularly satisfying setting for Utah
Department.” This allows the hospital to Pet Partners members is participating in
offer the support of therapy animal teams special programs in juvenile court. “These
to the hospital’s staff and patients on a programs meet weekly in court and the
continuing basis. young people involved have to meet certain
requirements in order to wipe their records
Some groups were created with specific
clean and get back on track for a healthy,
intent to provide mentoring and networking
productive life,” she says. “The therapy
for Pet Partners volunteers. “We wanted to
teams accompany the small group of kids in Wags for Wellness volunteers prepare
have a way for teams to network and mentor
front of the judge as each gives their report. for their holiday event.
Pet Partners | Fall 2021 | 5
“They gather mid-afternoon on Christmas new strategies for providing therapy animal letters and eventually add in monthly visits
Eve and spread out throughout the hospital visits. Many groups were able to develop a to the fire stations as well.
visiting with their dogs and presenting the variety of alternative visit options so they
Pet Partners of the Tri-State did virtual
handmade blankets,” says Sandra Haskell. could continue serving their communities.
visits, postcards, and therapy animal
Pet Partners of Las Vegas—Love Dog Virtual visits and video presentations were cutouts for their regular clients and
Adventures is often the first experience popular everywhere, as a way of giving facilities; but they also had an established
many local facilities have in partnering people the opportunity to see therapy history of Walk With Me™ sessions in
with therapy animals, and providing AAI to animals live even if they couldn’t be there in their community, and when the weather
specific populations. “We tend to go where person. But online events and videos also permitted, they were quick to offer these
they have not worked with animals before provided opportunities to connect with local walks as a safe visiting option. Group leader
as they trust our teams greatly,” says group communities and support volunteers in new Cyndie Kieffer says these events were
founder and president Sue Grundfest. “We ways. Utah Pet Partners has developed “quite a hit, helping to offer much-needed
work with very sensitive populations such a robust online library of educational connection while enjoying the many urban
as behavioral health hospitals for adults videos for their members and prospective trails in the area.”
and youth, active-duty military and first volunteers, and even created a helpful video
Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi
responders, and children living with trauma for their teams with guidance and ideas for
has a long-standing relationship with Pass
and other issues.” And because they are holding successful virtual visits.
Christian Library for Read With Me visits,
in the convention capital of the U.S., they
and the library was eager to find ways to
have regularly taken part in conventions and
continue offering the visits in some form.
conferences being held in the city, providing
The initial offering was virtual story time
stress relief and education about therapy
videos, which were posted and shared
animals.
from the Pass Christian Public Library
Facebook page. “The video viewership was
outstanding,” says Kathy Murray. In fall
2020, the group offered drive-up events
to support the We Are All Ears project for
reading at home. Families would drive to the
library to see the therapy animal teams and
receive “Grab-n-Go” bags with books and
reading activities to take home. “Talk about
some happy faces when the children saw
Pet Partners of Las Vegas teams prepare for a visit.
their beloved pet teams!” Kathy says.
And sometimes, the ability to offer a large
number of teams with diverse visiting
experience is a specialty in itself. Pet The Utah Pet Partners online video library has a
variety of resources.
Partners of Southern Arizona has about
75 teams, some based in the area year- North Carolina Pet Partners held online
round and some who are “snowbirds,” meetings for their members to stay in touch,
who live elsewhere for part of the year and and created special videos for client groups
bring their visiting skills to those other they weren’t able to see in person. They also
communities. The group’s teams visit in created a coloring book that features some
a variety of settings including medical, of their therapy animals, which “is a useful
educational, older adults, military, first tool to give to places we can't visit in person
responders, and universities. Group right now, but will be useful in the future as
leader Diane Alexander says, “I think our well to spread the word about what we do
willingness to visit so widely is one of and the importance of the human-animal
our strengths. We offer opportunities for bond,” says Beth Kuoni. A team with Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi
everyone.” makes a reading video.
Pet Partners of Sun City Texas started a
project to send letters weekly to their local Several groups found ways to continue
Adjusting Activities for fire stations and fire administration offices, supporting hospitals and healthcare
COVID-19 written to seem as if they were from the workers. Pet Partners of Greater Ft. Worth
group’s therapy dogs. “These letters are and Pet Partners of Las Vegas arranged
Like everything else, in-person therapy funny, inspiring, and give the fire staff a with local facilities to hold visits outside
animal visits have been affected by the few minutes of stress relief every week,” during shift changes, which allows the
risks and restrictions of COVID-19. One of says group leader Ruth Olsen. “Photos workers ending their shifts to get some
the benefits that Pet Partners groups have of our dogs are hung all over each of the stress relief from visiting with therapy
in these times is the presence of multiple fire stations and they know all the dogs by animals, and the workers getting ready to
teams and a structure that allows for name. So far, we have sent out over 480 start shifts a way to bolster their well-being
planning and communication in developing letters.” The group plans to continue the with some therapy animal affection.
6 | Pet Partners | Fall 2021
Pet Partners of Central New York provided
their healthcare workers with window and
virtual visits, videos, and cards, but they Becoming a Pet Partners Group
also made special deliveries of fruit, sweet
Would your area benefit from having a Pet Partners group? We’re glad to talk with
treats, and personalized notes during the
volunteers or facilities about establishing a Pet Partners–affiliated group.
holiday season. “They had so often been so
generous and loving to us it was impossible Establishing a new group requires a minimum of five registered Pet Partners teams to
to sit by,” says Mary Gilbert. become a Community Group, or a minimum of 20 registered Pet Partners teams and
at least one Pet Partners licensed team evaluator to become a Community Partner.
Pet Partners of Central New York teams visit outside
the emergency room at Crouse Hospital.
Pet Partners of Columbus (GA) worked with
their local hospital to provide onsite visits
to the staff during working hours. Group
leader Angie Zapata says, “As soon as a
few of us got credentialed as AACR teams, I
approached our local hospital and we were
approved to do in-person visits with staff
at the hospital.” The hospital helped set If you have interest in starting a local group but aren’t sure about the presence of
up specific safety protocols for the visiting other volunteers in your area, we’re happy to help connect you with them. Many
teams to make the visits as safe as possible, volunteers are interested in joining a local group when they know it’s an option.
and the AACR training provides the
handlers with knowledge of mental health There’s no requirement for a Pet Partners group to register as a 501(c)3 entity or
first aid and other skills for supporting the maintain any specific type of group structure. However, many groups, particularly
staff through the trauma of the pandemic. large ones, do find benefits in forming these these types of entities. It’s about what
Angie says, “This has been a very stressful will best serve your group and your community.
year for everybody, but the staff greatly Most Pet Partners groups are formed around a geographic area. It’s best to focus on a
appreciates that we still continue to visit.” defined area, such as a city, metropolitan area, or specific part of a state. Many areas
can accommodate multiple groups, depending on the group’s focus.
Challenges New volunteer-led groups must have Pet Partners branding. We’ll work with you to
Many Pet Partners groups, regardless of create your group’s name and provide customized logos.
size or location, say that there are some
Facility-affiliated groups may have specific needs around naming and branding. We’re
ongoing challenges, particularly with the
happy to discuss options for these types of groups.
restrictions presented by COVID-19. These
include recruiting new therapy animal Existing groups of Pet Partners volunteers that do not have Pet Partners–associated
teams, finding spaces to hold evaluations, names are welcome to rebrand! Pet Partners branding identifies your group as part of
and meeting demand for visits. the international organization, which provides greater visibility and recognition. It also
shows that you’re affiliated with the gold standard in therapy animal visitation, which
Many groups have relationships with local
appeals to facilities and sponsors. We can assist you with rebranding and managing
dog training establishments and pet care
name changes.
businesses that help them recruit new
members. Due to the pandemic, many of There are other benefits of being a local Pet Partners group. Community Partner
these establishments have had to reduce and Community Group members receive discounts on their Pet Partners registration
activity, which reduces the number of fees. Groups have access to a wealth of group-specific resources, including guidance
prospective new teams. Ruth Olsen says, on group structure and operations; promotional materials; and special educational
“Due to COVID, we did not have local dog events and town hall sessions with Pet Partners staff. We recognize how important
training classes so there are no dogs on the local groups can be for their communities, and we want to support their efforts.
near horizon.” To get started establishing a Pet Partners group, please contact us through our
Diane Alexander notes that the lack of website: petpartners.org/about-us/contact-us/.
Pet Partners | Fall 2021 | 7
community events in general, and especially biggest challenge, but it takes a balance of
those focused on animals, has made being able to recruit and train people, test
recruitment difficult for their group and them, and mentor them without burning out
limited opportunities to introduce people to the volunteers who do all those roles,” she
their group and their work. They hope for an says.
increase in these events soon.
Even so, groups have advantages with their
networks and visibility. Pet Partners of the
Tri-State has half a dozen members who
are able to offer time or space for team
evaluations, and also focus on spreading
the word about the group and building
connections. Pet Partners of Columbus teams on a group visit prior
to the pandemic.
Music City Pet Partners has increased
“For our group, serving the most vulnerable
the group’s visibility through advocacy
in our community has become our core
activity, such as requesting proclamations
mission,” says Sue Grundfest. Pet Partners
for National Therapy Animal Day across
of Las Vegas was available to support many
their service region and even at the state
Community events with therapy animals are an of the people who responded to the Route
level, which puts them in contact with
important part of recruitment and visibility for Pet 91 tragedy in 2017. “We became known as
Partners of Southern Arizona. local political leaders; and through their
the team to bring in for comforting and
relationships with high-profile facilities,
Locations that are suitable for holding team stress relief,” Sue says.“That introduced
which often leads to media coverage.
evaluations can be difficult for some groups us to many crisis groups and those
They’re hopeful these community-building
to find even in more normal times; COVID-19 relationships have continued.”
activities will help them add new volunteers.
has significantly reduced availability of And Misty Rigas sums up what her group
many others. Ellie Wetzel says, “We have means not just to their community but to
had difficulty finding evaluation space their members: “To witness how our Pet
since the primary venues we would use in Partners teams adapted to the changes of
the past are not allowing reservations.” how we visit has been remarkable. They
And Laura Ackerman says, “Before COVID continue to give and share their hearts
we were limited in space available to us and love with those in our community even
for evaluations, workshops, and meetings. through this unprecedented time.”
Since the start of COVID, we have very few
places available to use for these events.”
And both of these situations can play a role
in a particular challenge that was brought
up by a number of groups: not having
enough teams and volunteers to meet the
demand in their communities.
Sue Grundfest says that attracting new
volunteers and fulfilling requests for therapy
Music City Pet Partners members with
animal visits is the group’s top priority. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on National
“The demand is high. Every day we get new Therapy Animal Day in 2019.
requests and we are prioritizing returning
to our established partners before taking Dedication to
on new assignments,” she says.”The worst
thing we could do is promise something we
the Mission
cannot deliver.” Even with challenges, local Pet Partners
groups maintain their dedication to bringing
Beth Kuoni mentions that new team
the benefits of the human-animal bond to
recruitment of younger volunteers is
their communities. “From the moment I
especially challenging, along with meeting
became an evaluator, my goal was to create
demand for visits that require a regular
a Community Partner,” says Cyndie Kieffer. A Compassionate Paws teams brings
commitment (such as reading programs),
“I wanted to form a group of teams that treats to local nurses.
and avoiding the problem of a small number
could promote the human-animal bond in a
of teams doing a disproportionate amount Every Pet Partners volunteer is vitally
variety of settings.”
of the work. important to our mission. Local groups
Angie Zapata notes that prior to COVID-19, amplify the power of Pet Partners teams
And Deborah Carr notes that it’s about
“All of the teams in my group were and the power of therapy animal visits, and
more than just having new teams. “Meeting
committed to the visits they assigned that means even more people can benefit
the demand for teams has always been our
themselves to and did not miss a beat.” from the human-animal bond.
8 | Pet Partners | Fall 2021
Pet Partners Local Groups
The groups listed below are currently recognized by Pet Partners. More information about our local groups, including areas of activity
and contact information, is available on the Community Partners page of the Pet Partners website.
Community Partners • Pet Partners of Greater Austin • Teton County Pet Partners
Austin, TX Jackson, WY
• Central Arkansas Pet Partners
Little Rock, AR • Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati • Thera Pets of the Roanoke Valley Inc.
Cincinnati, OH Roanoke, VA
• Compassionate Paws Inc.
Rome, GA • Pet Partners of Greater Dallas • Tufts Paws for People
McKinney, TX North Grafton, MA
• Delta Pet Partners of San Antonio
San Antonio, TX • Pet Partners of Greater Ft. Worth • UH Portage Medical Center—
Aledo, TX Wags for Wellness
• Denver Pet Partners
• Pet Partners Greater Youngstown Area Ravenna, OH
Littleton, CO
North Lima, OH • Utah Pet Partners
• ElderPet
• Pet Partners of Johnson County Provo, UT
Durham, NH
Iowa City, IA • Vermont Pet Partners
• MO-KAN Pet Partners
• Pet Partners of Lake Havasu City Killington, VT
Overland Park, KS
Lake Havasu City, AZ • Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi
• Music City Pet Partners
• Pet Partners of Las Vegas—Love Dog Gulfport, MS
Franklin, TN
Adventures • VT Helping P.A.W.S.
• New England Pet Partners Inc.
Las Vegas, NV Blacksburg, VA
Pelham, NH
• Pet Partners of Long Island
• North Carolina Pet Partners Community Groups
Lake Grove, NY
Greensboro, NC
• Pet Partners of Maryland • Pet Partners of Argentina
• Paws 4 Healing Buenos Aires, Argentina
Germantown, MD
Santa Ana, CA
• Pet Partners of North Alabama • Pet Partners of Caguas Puerto Rico
• Paws and Effect Caguas, PR
Huntsville, AL
Des Moines, IA
• Pet Partners of North Florida • Pet Partners of Coastal Carolina
• Paws for Love Elizabeth City, NC
Ponte Vedra, FL
El Paso, TX
• Pet Partners of the Palouse • Pet Partners of Dutchess County
• Pawsitive Outreach Wappingers Falls, NY
Troy, ID
Spokane, WA
• Pet Partners of Phoenix • Pet Partners of East Texas
• Pawsitive Therapy Troupe Longview, TX
Glendale, AZ
Downers Grove, IL
• Pet Partners of Portland • Pet Partners of Greater Portland
• Pet Partners of Acadiana Auburn, ME
Portland, OR
Lafayette, LA
• Pet Partners of Prescott • Pet Partners of Heart to Heart Huntsville
• Pet Partners of Akron-Canton Huntsville, AL
Prescott, AZ
Akron, OH
• Pet Partners of the Red River Valley • Pet Partners of Hellas
• Pet Partners of Central CT Athens, Greece
Moorhead, MN
Avon, CT
• Pet Partners of Richmond • Pet Partners of the Midlands
• Pet Partners of Central New York Columbia, SC
Richmond, VA
Syracuse, NY
• Pet Partners of South Central Connecticut • Pet Partners NC Triangle
• Pet Partners Central Ohio Durham, NC
Hamden, CT
New Albany, OH
• Pet Partners of SE Connecticut • Pet Partners of Northeast Arkansas
• Pet Partners of Central Oregon Jonesboro, AR
New London, CT
Bend, OR
• Pet Partners of Southern Arizona • Pet Partners of Northern Alberta
• Pet Partners of Central Texas Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Tucson, AZ
McGregor, TX
• Pet Partners of Sun City Texas • Pet Partners @ Ohlone Humane Society
• Pet Partners of the Coastal Bend Fremont, CA
Georgetown, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
• Pet Partners of the Tri-State • Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast
• Pet Partners of Cobb County Newport, OR
Mount Carmel, IL
Marietta, GA
• Summa Health's WAGtime • Pet Partners of San Juan Puerto Rico
• Pet Partners of Columbus San Juan, PR
Akron, OH
Columbus, GA
• Superiorland Pet Partners • Pet Partners of Tennessee Valley
• Pet Partners of East Carolina Stewart, TN
Ishpeming, MI
Winterville, NC
• Sutter's Paws On-Call • Pet Partners of Vail Valley
• Pet Partners of Greater Atlanta Edwards, CO
Sacramento, CA
Atlanta, GA
Pet Partners | Fall 2021 | 9
AAI
Current Research Projects
Advancement
in Support of AAI
For three years in a row, Pet Partners transcribed interviews and video recordings,
has honored our mission to support by Taylor Chastain Griffin, PhD behavior during the interaction with the
empirical investigation on animal-assisted National Director, AAI Advancement therapy dog, including the duration of time
interventions (AAI) by partnering with the the child spent petting the dog, will be
Human Animal Bond Research Institute Children with autism spectrum disorder will scored.
(HABRI) to fund research on studies be randomly matched with a unique therapy
dog, and researchers will measure variables It is predicted that the therapy dog–
including therapy animals. This partnership
such as stress behavior, affiliative behavior, assisted interviews will bolster children’s
not only allows us to work closely with
and social behavior of the child and the event reports, leading to increases in both
academicians and researchers in the field,
dog through behavioral coding and salivary quantity and quality of children’s reports.
but also elevates our ability to advocate for
cortisol. This study will be unique in its focus The findings from this investigation are also
the highest possible standards of practice to
on handling behaviors: comparing passive, expected to support therapy dog–assisted
be implemented in therapy animal research.
restrictive, and treat-based handling styles. forensic interviews as a safe, affordable, and
Three research projects that were funded widely available technique that may improve
through this collaboration are currently The researchers expect that the most the accuracy and quality of event reports
underway: restrictive handling of the therapy dogs among maltreated children.
will result in less therapeutic benefit, along
1. Direct Experimental Assessment of with higher levels of stress in the dogs. The 3. Canine-Assisted Anxiety Reduction in
Therapy Dog Handlers on Child and data from this project will ultimately inform Pediatric Emergency Care
Dog Behavior During AAI a scientific appreciation for the best way to Dr. Alan Beck of Purdue University and Dr.
Led by Dr. Alexandra Protopopova from the handle therapy animals, promoting efficacy Jeffery Kline of Wayne State University are
University of British Columbia and Dr. Erica for the intervention and enjoyment for the coming together to study the impact of
Feuerbacher from Virginia Polytech Institute animals who are involved in the interactions. therapy dog visits on the anxiety levels of
and State University, this study aims to 2. Implementation of Canine-Assisted children in emergency room care.
determine how different therapy animal Forensic Interviews with Children Children aged 5–17 with clinical anxiety
handling styles influence stress behavior in
Dr. Kamala London and Dr. Janet Hoy- will be recruited from Riley Children’s
both children and dogs in session.
Gerlach of the University of Toledo are Hospital and randomized to receive either
conducting a study to a 15-minute visit from a child life specialist
provide evidence-based or a 15-minute visit from a therapy dog/
guidelines regarding how handler pair as an adjunct with the child
and when to incorporate life specialist. Physiological stress will be
therapy dogs in legal measured by collecting salivary cortisol.
settings. Although there The researchers expect that the children
has been a recent increase and parents in the therapy dog group will
in therapy animals being report greater decreases in anxiety and that
present for forensic children or adolescents with psychiatric
interviews, there has not complaints, autism-spectrum disorder, or
yet been much research brain injury will have a greater reduction in
conducted on this anxiety with exposure to therapy dog teams
intervention. This lab- than those without these conditions.
based study will examine
the effect of the presence We are excited to see what findings come
of a therapy dog on the from these innovative projects, and we
quantity and quality of look forward to working together with the
children’s event reports. researchers and our network of handlers
and practitioners to incorporate these
Children ages 6–9 findings into practice. Another funding
will experience a rich, opportunity for researchers will be made
interactive, staged event. available through the HABRI website this
A week later, the children fall with proposals focusing on animal-
will undergo an analogue related engagement and animal welfare
forensic interview, where and diversity in AAI being specifically
exposure to Pet Partners encouraged.
therapy dogs will be
randomly varied. Using
10 | Pet Partners | Fall 2021You provide a wonderful service as a volunteer therapy animal team.
Do you know a professional interested in AAI?
Please share this exciting news!
CO M I NG I N 2 02 2
A community of professionals who
incorporate therapy animals
into their practice: AAAIP will offer the following
services to its members:
Mental health providers
Educators Education
Allied health practitioners Certification
Justice system professionals Connection
Researchers Resources
Trainers and behaviorists Research
Anyone wishing to practice
AAI in a professional context
Learn More: petpartners.org/learn/aat-professionalsVolunteer
A Circle of Care in a Time
Spotlight
of Grief
who haven’t been directly exposed to the
by Elisabeth Van Every
effects of COVID-19 have experienced the
loss of regular routines, activities (such
me to beg for the therapy dogs to visit his
as volunteering), and so much more. The
overwhelmed and stressed staff,” says
effects of the pandemic have touched
Ruth. They spent a few days working out the
everyone to some extent.
logistics of how teams could return to the
hospital safely, setting requirements that Returning to visiting and supporting their
included vaccination for handlers, masks for community again has been important for
handlers and staff while visiting, a special the volunteers at St. David’s, as well as the
entrance for the teams to minimize contact, staff. The visits provide moments of relief
and a dedicated room for staff to visit with and care for the stressed, traumatized
the teams. When all of the safety protocols hospital staff, and shows them that their
were in place, they agreed on a schedule community values their work and their well-
and time for the teams to visit. being in this difficult time. For the therapy
Ruth Olsen has been a Pet Partners animal teams, it’s an opportunity to give
On August 19, the designated day for the
volunteer since 2007. She has worked with back to their community, to support the
teams to begin visiting again, Ruth and
three therapy dog partners so far, and she people who are caring for others and help
Rascal were the first team onsite. “We were
and her current partner Rascal are also ease their trauma, and to demonstrate how
greeted by staff even before we got into the
an Animal-Assisted Crisis Response team. important it is to them to be able to provide
building,” says Ruth. “Rascal was beyond
She has served as a Pet Partners licensed this support. “Being able to support our
excited to see people and work again.” They
team evaluator and volunteer instructor for local hospital staff who are working so hard
were at the hospital for 90 minutes and
several years, and previously served as a again means lots to all of us,” says Ruth.
visited with at least 25 staff members.
National Program Educator, helping to train More than ever, the work done by Pet
But the visit was profoundly meaningful
new Pet Partners evaluators. She was a Partners teams is part of a larger circle of
beyond just resuming the visits. “For me,
founding member of Pet Partners of Greater care: The comfort, calm, and joy offered by
the best part was who I got to see,” Ruth
Austin, and currently leads Pet Partners of therapy animal visits provides vital support
says. She was able to see two of the staff
Sun City Texas. Her dedication to serving for communities in a time of grief. And this
members who provided care for Tom when
her community through therapy animal support helps build the connections that
he was a patient at the hospital. “I got to
visitation runs deep. enable communities to work together and
hug them and thank them for helping and
Ruth’s husband Tom joined her as a Pet provide care for each other as we continue to
befriending Tom so much. It was emotional,
Partners volunteer in 2011, also working as deal with the effects of the pandemic.
some tears and long hugs.”
a handler with each of their three therapy And for Ruth, this circle of care has been
As of October 1, 12 Pet Partners teams have
dogs. They enjoyed the opportunity to especially important as she deals with
been involved in stress relief visits at St.
volunteer together and bring the benefits of her own loss. “Tom was with me when we
David’s. During that time, approximately
the human-animal bond to their community. started volunteering at St. David's about 10
600 staff members have spent time visiting
This included when they began therapy years ago,” she says.“It has gone full circle.”
with the teams. Ruth says, “Some visits
animal visits at St. David’s Hospital in
were one minute, some were 15 minutes.
Georgetown, TX. Tom also spent some time
We had staff hugging, crying, and petting
at St. David’s as a patient receiving care over
dogs quietly, and others showing us photos
the years. “He got to know the staff well and
of their dogs, and just for a few minutes
lovingly called them ‘his girls,’” says Ruth.
forgetting about their stress.”
Sadly, Tom passed away due to COVID-19 in
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant an
January 2021. His loss was felt profoundly
overwhelming level of trauma, loss, and
by his fellow Pet Partners volunteers and
grief for people everywhere. Hundreds of
the community, and of course by Ruth.
thousands of people and communities in the
After taking a break, Ruth returned to
U.S. have lost loved ones, and others have
volunteering (to the extent possible under
lost health even after recovering from the
the conditions), in part as a way to honor
immediate effects of COVID-19. Healthcare
the time she and Tom spent making therapy
workers have experienced trauma and
animal visits together.
intense stress as they’ve worked to care for
In August 2021, Hugh Brown, the CEO of people with the disease and watched so
St. David’s, reached out to Ruth. “He called many of them succumb. And even people
12 | Pet Partners | Fall 20212021 has seen significant advocacy action, after a largely quiet year in 2020 due to restrictions
and legislative session cancellations because of COVID-19. We’re pleased to have Pet Partners
advocates making a difference in legislation and awareness about therapy animals. Advocacy
Advocates Encourage
Communities Across Pet Partners Advocates
the Country to Help Pass the PAWS Act
Proclaim National
In August 2021, the PAWS Act was signed into law by President
Biden, thanks to the thousands of Pet Partners advocates who
Therapy Animal Day sent letters to Congress in support of this important legislation.
Formally called the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members
After the challenges of the past year, National Therapy Animal for Veterans Therapy Act, the PAWS Act brings the powerful
Day 2021 on April 30 was a big, joyful recognition of how benefits of the human-animal bond through a trained service dog
important therapy animals are to communities everywhere. And to veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Pet Partners advocates played a crucial role in the celebration,
using our online action alert to send requests to their city, county,
and state officials encouraging them to proclaim April 30 as
National Therapy Animal Day in their communities.
The PAWS Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
to implement a five-year pilot program to provide canine training
to eligible veterans diagnosed with PTSD as an element of a
complementary and integrative health program. The VA may also
now provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses who
do not have mobility impairments.
Pet Partners is proud that our grassroots advocacy program has
been mobilizing on behalf of the PAWS Act for four years. Back in
2017, we even hosted a town hall with the bill’s sponsor. Thanks
More than 70 communities in 23 states across the U.S. issued to your determination and commitment, real progress has been
proclamations recognizing National Therapy Animal Day and made on behalf of our wounded service members.
the impact of therapy animals. This is the largest number of
communities to date to recognize National Therapy Animal Day
in this way, and it brings vital recognition to the work therapy
animals do everywhere. This recognition strengthens efforts to
Therapy Animal Guidelines
create legislation that supports standards and access for therapy
animals.
for the State of New York
In 2018, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation directing
the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets
State Legislation to convene a working group to examine the need for statewide
standards for therapy dogs. Pet Partners was proud to be invited
for Therapy Dogs in to participate and make recommendations for therapy animal
standards in the state of New York. The resulting guidance,
Courtrooms published in 2020, articulates criteria for animals, handlers,
and therapy animal organizations that aligns with Pet Partners’
Pet Partners was involved in the passage of two pieces of commitment to animal welfare and client safety. This guidance is
legislation in 2021 that provide therapy dogs for witnesses in now available for others to reference, and can provide assistance
court proceedings: Texas House Bill 1071 and Maryland House Bill to advocates working with legislators on standards for therapy
186. Both laws highlight the standards of practice in AAI which animals. Pet Partners is pleased to have played a role in the
ensure animal welfare as well as client safety. creation of this guidance.
Pet Partners | Fall 2021 | 13World’s Largest
Pet Walk 2021
Events
On September 25, our incredible walkers,
teams, and sponsors came together to
show the power of the human-animal
bond in the World’s Largest Pet Walk. This
year’s walk was the most successful yet!
The number of registered walkers more
than doubled from 2020, and the number
of walking teams increased significantly.
We also had the participation of more
Pet Partners local volunteer Community
Partners and Community Groups than
ever before. People walked in nearly all 50
states, plus the District of Columbia. And
there were walkers in 10 other countries as
well! And while plenty of dogs took walks,
other species participated too, including
cats, miniature horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, and even an alpaca and a pigeon.
$70,000+
Participants could choose to walk any distance, at any time, and at any location that worked
raised
for them. Some supporters held socially distanced events in community parks, others
walked solo, and some took their pets for a swim because the weather was still in the high
100s. No matter how walkers participated, their activities made a HUGE difference.
Most importantly, participants raised more than $70,000, which will support the Pet
712
Partners Therapy Animal Program as well as Walk With Me and other initiatives that bring walkers signed up
the healing benefits of the human-animal bond to so many people. The need for life-
changing therapy animal visits has increased significantly with the effects of COVID-19, and
these funds will help greatly to keep the mission moving forward.
Please check out #WorldsLargestPetWalk on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see all the
delightful photos from participants.
118
Be sure to save the date for our 5th Annual World’s Largest Pet Walk, which will take place walking teams signed up
on Saturday, September 24, 2022. We’re eager to have you walk with us next year!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Blue Shield of CA • Dog is Good for Good
31
American Pet Products Association • BNY Mellon • Pet Plate
Community Partners
and Community Groups
took part
Walk Champions
New this year, we welcomed our first National Walk Champions,
Roslyn Lindeman and Abbey, from Pet Partners of North Florida.
They have been a registered Pet Partners therapy animal team
since 2018 and they spread unconditional love and joy at memory 48
U.S. states
care units, retirement villages, a children’s advocacy center, and a
cancer treatment center.
“I knew Abbey was meant for therapy animal work from the
moment she found the crook of my arm and nuzzled right in. Her and
10
unconditional love soothed my soul and melted my heart; I just
knew this was her calling,” says Roslyn.
We are so honored to have Roslyn and Abbey as the face of the walk and the winners of our
top fundraiser award!
countries
14 | Pet Partners | Fall 2021 with registered walkersNEW IN 2022
Pet Partners
Pet of the Year
Does your dog stand out from the rest of the pack? Is your feline friend
known for their amazing cat-itude? Perhaps your horse is ready to gallop
into a new role! We are excited to announce that Pet Partners is seeking pets
to compete for the title of 2022 Pet Partners Pet of the Year.
This new and exciting inaugural six-week fundraising competition is the
perfect way to celebrate your best friend while supporting a great cause!
Funds raised by pet contestants (with help from their favorite humans) will
support the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program. This amazing program
brings unconditional love, happiness, and healing to millions of older adults,
patients, veterans, and children in need all around the world each year.
The national title of Pet Partners Pet of the Year is awarded to the pet whose
fundraising team raises the most funds during the six-week competition.
The winner and runner-up will be crowned at the close of the competition
and awarded wonderful prizes for their efforts.
Prizes for the winner include a professional photo shoot, being featured on
the cover of Interactions magazine, their likeness appearing on the design
for an official Pet Partners T-shirt campaign, media interviews, and so much
more!
To nominate your pet for Pet Partners Pet of the Year, use the Contact Us
option at on our website.
Making It Easy to Create a Will
Support the people and causes that mean the most to you
Giving
Pet Partners has a tool that you can use What happens when someone dies, and they Do you want a court to decide how to
to complete your will, in the comfort of don’t have a will? If there isn’t a will upon distribute your property? Probably not.
your home, at no cost to you: We have death, a probate court will refer to the state Making a will allows you to decide what
partnered with FreeWill, an online laws where you reside (called “intestate will happen to your assets. If you don’t
will writing service. Visit freewill.com/ succession”) and decide who receives have a will, make it a goal to complete one
petpartners and have peace of mind your property. Those people could include in 2021. Go to freewill.com/petpartners
knowing you’ve completed a necessary a surviving spouse, a domestic partner, today and start your will.
step to provide for your family, your loved your children, your parents, siblings, and
This information is not intended to provide
ones, your pets, and the nonprofits that extended family members.
you with legal or financial advice.
are important to you.
Pet Partners | Fall 2021 | 15You can also read
