Pets for Life

Taking Pets to nursing homes, hospitals, etc. for therapy and company of residents and patients. Approximately 67 facilities were visited at various times throughout the year for a total of 104,067 pet visits. The benefits of our pet/volunteer visits to people in the community include the increased emotional/sociological well being of these individuals, as well as positive physiological changes. In the past few years, clinical research has verified that individual pet visits have a very positive physical as well as psychological benefit. Anxiety is lessended measurably, blood pressure is lowered, and the risk of heart attack is reduced. Pet assisted therapy/activity is now looked upon as a measurable, medical adjunct to a person's qualify of Life. In 2023, we had 111 active volunteers and served 67 facilities with regularly scheduled visits. Our volunteer/pet teams made 2,663 client contacts in 2023. This inforamation is sent to us from the facilities we serve or from our volunteers. We continue to increase our servicdes to children. Through the leash pals program children learn the safe way to greet a dog, when not to approach a dog, and what to do when a stray dog approaches. We have found that this course can be modified for other age groups as well we are now presenting this course to many more individuals of differing ages, than we had originally imagined. Our goal is to increase our volunteer base to be able to serve more individuals and facilities in our community.

The reading education assistance dogs (r.e.a.d) program improves children's reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. R.e.a.d. Dogs registered therapy animals certified through Pets for Life who receive additoinal training and certification for this program. The volunteer teams go to schools and libraries as reading companions for children. When a r.e.a.d dog is listening, the environment is transformed, a child's dread is replaced by eager anticipation, and learning occurs. Participating kids make enormous strides in reading and communication skills while building self-esteem, confidence and social skills. Performance in other subjects tends to improve, as does attendance and even personal hygiene. Reach out and read -- our volunteers and their dogs visit the cabot westside clinic twice a month and interact with children in the waiting room. The children listen or read to the dogs as they await their turn to vist the medical staff.