Welcome

Our Mission

Paws with a Purpose is a non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers and their pets who provide animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) services to individuals of all ages with physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs in healthcare facilities and educational programs.

The Purpose of Pet Therapy

Pet therapy's purpose is to improve the quality of life and emotional well being of those served. Illness, injury, hospitalization, or confinement in long term care facilities often result in stress, anxiety, and isolation that are reduced through the warmth and comfort of a therapy dog visit. Other benefits include the opportunity for sensory stimulation by touch and enhanced participation in occupational and physical therapy. Therapy dogs often serve as a means to open communication with withdrawn, isolated or unresponsive individuals. Therapy dogs are also an effective means to improve reading skills, develop compassion for animals, and build self-confidence and self esteem in school children and other at-risk adolescent populations.