Pet Partners therapy animal team J.R. Poe and Buddy were recognized with the Community Hero award by North Carolina Representative Mark Walker on February 12! J.R. is a veteran who served during the Vietnam war and he and Buddy frequently visit with veterans. J.R. and Buddy are highly committed to therapy work and have participated in an array of outreach initiatives, including visits to hospitals and even the Central Prisons death row.

Eight Pet Partners teams from North Carolina Pet Partners were proud to support this team as J.R. was presented with a US flag that was flown over the Capitol and Buddy received an elegant US Congressional leash. Representative Walker asked some very good questions about animal-assisted interventions and the impact on the people with whom our handlers and therapy animals visit.

Congratulations, J.R. and Buddy! We are so proud to have you both as a part of our Pet Partners team!