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Pet Assisted Therapy

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Volunteer Positions

Our Pet Assisted Therapy teams are made up of dogs, cats and rabbits and their handlers who work in pairs, with their pets, to visit hospitals and other health care facilities offering the unique kind of therapy only an animal can provide. The program now includes an exciting offshoot: Paws for Tales our Reading to Dogs program. In addition to hospital visits, volunteers visit local libraries.  If you're interested in joining the Society's growing therapy program or a facility that would like to schedule visits, please contact Brian Probst at 650/340.7022 ext. 328 or by emailing him at bprobst@PHS-SPCA.org.

Can any dog be a Therapy Dog?

Is your Cat a Lovebug?

Pet Assisted Therapy in the news…

We are always happy to share wonderful news items highlighting our good work. Please check out our most recent media coverage, Pets Around the Bay segment from September 26, 2008.

Paws for Tales

Studies show that children who are reluctant to read in front of peers because of their skills are much less anxious with an animal present.  The animal, they feel, won't be judgmental, and therefore can help them become more confident readers. Paws for Tales 2010 Schedule

Paws for Tales Event in the news…

We are always happy to share wonderful news items highlighting our good work. Please check out our most recent media coverage, Pets Around the Bay segment, articles in the San Mateo Daily News and San Francisco Examiner along with an article in Sports Illustrated.

Photos from a Paws for Tales Event
Left, Buster carefully listens to readers at the Belmont Library. Right, a good listener, Jonny Justice helps kids feel more comfortable reading aloud.

Partnerships

Our Pet Assisted Therapy program is proud to partner with Riley’s Place, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children on the San Francisco Peninsula experiencing chronic or life threatening health problems and/or challenging family situations such as homelessness. Our combined programs will encourage and facilitate childrens' interactions with animals, allowing them to experience the joy and healing from spending time with animals.