About

About Us: Therapy Animal Visitation Program

Since 1977, Pet Partners has registered and supported thousands of volunteer therapy animal teams who have made millions of meaningful visits around the world that help improve the physical, social, and emotional lives of both the people and animals involved. Our therapy animal for workplace program is available nationwide with the help of our dedicated therapy animal volunteers!

Learn More About Volunteering

Pet Partners therapy dog receiving love form children during a visit.
Rosie the Shih Tzu
Pet Partners therapy dog receiving love form children during a visit.
Rosie the Shih Tzu
Therapy rabbit George sits in a stroller, while smiling uniformed officers stand around him.

Our Mission & Impact: Human-Animal Therapeutic Bonds

Pet Partners’ mission is to improve human health and well-being through the human-animal bond. As a leader in the field, Pet Partners is continuously evolving to meet the diverse needs of global communities, with innovative programming, activities, and educational opportunities that are centered around the human-animal bond. Humans and animals share a deep, innate connection, and we believe that through the human-animal bond we can improve the physical, social, and emotional lives of more people and communities.

George the Rabbit

Learn More About Pet Partners

Office Hours (PT): Monday through Friday - 8:30 AM - 4 PM Saturday and Sunday - Closed

Therapy Animal Program

We educate our volunteers, preparing them and their pets for visits in hospitals, nursing homes, veterans’ centers, courtrooms, schools, workplaces, and more.
Learn more
Young girl reads to Pet Partners therapy pig during a visit.

Therapy Animal Standards

Without careful consideration of safety standards, well-intentioned handlers, therapy animal organizations, and facilities could jeopardize access to therapy animals.
Learn more
People and dogs participate in the World's Largest Pet Walk with their dogs.

Events & Fundraisers

Learn more about our fundraising events, our latest news stories, and the initiatives that help our volunteers share the impact of the bond between humans and animals.
Learn more
A black and white photo of Leo Bustad holding a small dog.

Our History

Since 1977, Pet Partners has been a driving force behind the science and research that have proven the benefits and effectiveness of therapy animal visits.
Pet Partners' history
A man pets a mini horse during a therapy animal visit.

Position Statements

Upholding the highest standards for animal welfare, client safety and professionalism, Pet Partners proudly publishes a number of Position Statements approved by our Human Animal Bond Advisory Board.
Read our position statements
THerapy dog teams from North Star Therapy Animals pose on the steps after NTAD proclamation.

Advocacy

Our advocacy program is non-partisan, voluntary, and open to all. When we work as a collective voice, we can make a difference by bringing widespread awareness and understanding of the benefits of the human-animal bond.
Our advocacy program
Orange cat sits on the bed, while being petted by a hospital patient during a visit.

Honoring Our Therapy Animals

Our therapy animals make a major impact in the lives of those they visit. When they retire or pass on, we honor them and the contributions they have made to the communities where they served.
View our stories and tribute
Lunar the mini horse shown with a young girl during an AACR visit.

Inclusivity at Pet Partners

Every individual is worthy of love, respect, dignity, & compassion. It is our goal to provide access to therapy animal teams that bring emotional connection to the communities we serve.
Inclusivity at Pet Partners
C. Annie Peters with Gidget

Staff & Board

Learn more about our staff, Board of Directors, and our Human-Animal Bond Advisory Board.
Meet our staff & board
Child smiling while holding dog in hospital bed.

Press Office

Find our media contacts and view recent press releases and news articles featuring Pet Partners.
Press office

Anyone can benefit from the universal connection of the human-animal bond.

Pet Partners therapy animal teams make visits and impact across many different settings and locations, all while sharing joy, comfort, and relief.

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A child in a hospital gown hugging a dog
Homer the Labradoodle