The bond between people and animals has the power to heal, encourage, and uplift. Through our Pet Therapy Program, trained volunteer and therapy dog teams visit organizations throughout the Peoria area to bring comfort, connection, and joy to those they serve. Interested in becoming a therapy dog team? Learn more about requirements and the process to certify your dog and volunteer with the Peoria Humane Society.
Pet therapy creates meaningful benefits that extend far beyond a single visit. Through positive interactions between people and animals, our therapy teams help strengthen the wellbeing of individuals and the community as a whole.
Spending time with a therapy dog helps reduce stress, encourage relaxation, and brighten someone’s day.
Therapy dog visits provide comfort, companionship, and meaningful connection for people who may be feeling alone.
When Maggie May first began visiting a local classroom, one student was so afraid of dogs that she would leave the room whenever Maggie arrived.
Today, the student eagerly looks forward to Maggie’s visits. Stories like Maggie’s show how therapy dogs can build confidence, create meaningful connections, and bring comfort to people throughout our community.
Paws 4 Therapy connects trained therapy dog teams with people who can benefit from the comfort, companionship, and encouragement animals provide.
Our volunteers visit hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, libraries, and other organizations throughout the
Peoria area, creating meaningful moments of connection for those they serve.
Every participating dog is evaluated and certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs before visiting facilities. Together, our volunteers and their dogs help bring comfort, joy, and support to our community.
Sometimes the best reading partner has four legs and is perfectly happy to listen.
Paws to Read gives children the opportunity to practice reading aloud to specially trained therapy dogs in a relaxed, supportive environment. Since 2005, the program has visited schools and libraries throughout the Peoria area, helping young readers strengthen their skills while building confidence along the way.
For children who may feel nervous reading in front of others, a therapy dog offers a patient, judgment-free audience. They can simply read, spend time with a furry friend, and discover that practicing can be something to look forward to.
Our Pet Therapy Program depends on dedicated volunteers and their dogs who are willing to share their time, compassion, and companionship with others. If you and your dog enjoy meeting people and making a positive impact in your community, we invite you to learn more about becoming part of the team. Together, we can bring comfort, connection, and joy to those who need it most.
