Pet Partners in the News

To cap off the day, don’t miss Pet Night on Capitol Hill, a reception for our attendees, members of Congress and their staff hosted by the Human Animal Bond Re-search Institute, Pet Advocacy Network and Pet Food Institute. There will be special human and animal guests such as therapy dog teams from Pet Partners, as well as award presentations, refreshments and more.

The ranch is owned by high school sweethearts who are dedicated to brightening people's days with their collection of 32 alpacas. Taking their commitment a step further, they have gone on to certify two of their alpacas as therapy animals through Pet Partners. Sir Erik, one of the therapy alpacas, has gone to nursing homes, libraries, and — now — Boston Public Radio’s studio.

In addition to the wing pet therapy team, volunteers with Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi visit patients and staff at the Keesler Medical Center and technical training students at the Levitow Training Support Facility.

Like all therapy animals, Winston and Augie completed intensive training to learn the ropes of their vocation. But as their owner Margaret Strickland will tell you, the best therapy dogs are as much born for the role as trained to do it.

OneCause, a leading provider of digital fundraising technology, announced the distinguished nonprofit organizations and individual fundraising professionals chosen as finalists in the sixth annual Raise Awards.

"Absolutely. I think it is safe to say that animals are beneficial to our mental and physical health," says Nancy Gee, a professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Lilly and Charlie love to meet everyone they encounter throughout the entire Mayo Clinic campus. The team was recently named semifinalists in the American Humane Association National Hero Dog Awards Competition in the Therapy Dog category.

Bonnie Atchison’s eyes lit up with happiness when she was visited by two therapy dogs in her seventh-floor room at Grandview Medical Center. This was her second visit from Hazel, a brown and white border collie/Great Pyrenees mix with trainer Dorothy Gerr, and her first visit from Daphne, a white Goldendoodle with trainer Connie Wilson.

This year, Purina’s Cat Chow brand is celebrating 60 years of providing cat nutrition by teaming up with cat-loving actress and singer Mandy Moore for the “60 Years. 60 Stories” contest.