Pet Assisted Therapy

The Pet Assisted Therapy Program thrives as a total volunteer based program where volunteers train and take their own DFL Certified dogs to nursing and medical facilities in Indian River County. Unfortunately, the requests continue to outweigh the availability, although facility visits have increased considerably this year through volunteers increasing their volunteer time.

The Pet Assisted Therapy Program is totally dependent on 18 volunteers who in 2011 visit 11 facilities in Indian River County 76 times a month.

The Boys and Girls Club Beachland Elementary School
St. Edward’s Lower School The Family Homeless Center
The Hibiscus Children’s Center The Abilities Resource Center, VB & Seb.
Post hurricane relief gatherings The Center for Emotional Behavior Health
Consulate Health Care of VB VNA Hospice
Lakewood Park Elementary School The Mental Health Association
Sun Up of Indian River County Abilities Resource Center
St. Francis Manor Indian River Estates (Acts Community)
I.R. Co. School District (Secondary Support) Florida Baptist Retirement Center
Somerset House (Oak Harbor) Royal Palm Skilled Nursing
The Arbors at Pointe West By The River
Pelican Garden The Alzheimer & Parkinson’s Association

Meet our Certified Pet Assisted Therapy Teams!

Interesting Informational Links about Pet Assisted Therapy

The therapy dogs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.