Our therapy animal teams serve nationwide and around the world. Over a lifetime, they devote many hours, sharing their empathetic spirits and friendly hearts with people in need. Whether visiting children in a classroom or spending time with seniors in a residential care facility, their impact makes all the difference in a client’s life. This page honors their many contributions to communities where they visit.
Our deepest gratitude to those animals who retired from Pet Partners therapy animal visits between October and December of 2018. Read the names of our most recent alumni here.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the handlers, families, and communities that lost a valued therapy animal and whose loss we learned of between October and December of 2018. The impact of their work will be felt for years to come. Read the names of therapy animals who have most recently crossed the rainbow bridge here.
To our therapy animals who retired from their volunteer work in 2018: Pet Partners is proud and grateful for your hard work, and the work of your handlers. Read the names of our 2018 alumni here.
To our therapy animals whose passing we learned of in 2018: We can’t thank you enough, nor express enough gratitude to the handlers who shared you with so many people and benefited from your service. Read the names of all the therapy animals whose passing we learned of in 2018 here.
We’re pleased to share the following tributes, courtesy of their handlers, to some of the amazing therapy animals who have served with Pet Partners.
Has your animal retired or passed? If you would like to share their story here, please contact us.
In November, we had to say goodbye to our sweet Indie after a painful battle with intestinal cancer. He was truly the light of my life and immediately loved by all he met. I had never met such a gentle, calm soul in either human or animal before.
Aragon the cat, actor, comedian and social activist was 14 years old and a longtime resident of Laguna Beach, Calif. He passed away peacefully on December 12th at 1:15 p.m.
Read MoreI am writing about Fiona, my Goldendoodle, who died September 24, 2018. She was a therapy dog for 6 years and had an instinct for knowing who needed her and how to behave around them. My proudest moment as her handler came in July 2016.
Read MoreMabel became a therapy dog in order to share her gift of love with others and to help people in need. She eased the pain of the sick, comforted caregivers, supported hospital staff, snuggled with kids, encouraged young readers and always brought a smile to every face she encountered. The name Mabel means “lovable” and she shared her love every day with everyone around her.
Read MoreGryphon excelled as a therapy dog, as an ambassador for his breed, and as a Read With Me dog in educational settings. Gryphon and his handler, Cathy Varidel, were a registered Pet Partners therapy animal team working with local group Compassionate Paws, Inc. in Rome, GA for seven years.
Read MoreDuring Sadie’s 10 years of therapy work, she helped young students working on improving their reading skills, made hospice visits and frequently participated in stress relief for college students during finals week. She loved this work and never hesitated when it was time for a visit.
Read MoreI don’t think Lego ever willfully did anything wrong. She was my constant companion and so sweet and loving. She had the most glorious soft coat and the most beautiful blue eyes. I think she knew she was my perfect little fur person.
Read MoreI had never even thought about being a part of a Pet therapy team until my Golden Retriever Bentley inspired me. His gentle soul and calm demeanor led me to seek out the Wagtime program at Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio. Bentley and I were a proud Pet Partners team for six years from 2011-2017.
Read MoreOne of Piedmont Columbus Regional’s certified pet therapy dogs has lost its battle with cancer. Smudge, an 8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was active in our hospitals and at the John B. Amos Cancer Center as a member of the Play Paws Pet Therapy program for 6 years.
Read MoreMaggie #24 aka Maggie Moo, The Mags, Moo Moo or just Moo. Senior GRRAND Rescue with no known birth date – August 7, 2017. It is with a very heavy heart that I must share that sweet Moo crossed to the Rainbow Bridge today.
Read MoreDaisy Pollock was born with a purpose. From her first Pet Partner evaluation at 1 year and 1 month of age to what would be her last evaluation at 10 years old, Daisy brought years of comfort and care to patients and staff at VCU Health in Richmond, VA.
Read moreCassie’s life was full and rich as much as she filled and enriched the lives of others. Her grace, warmth, and unbridled love was given equally to those who knew her well and to those who only met her only briefly. Wherever she went she was eager to greet everyone with a wagging tail and a nudge as if to say, “Please, it’s OK to pet me.” She adored children and the feeling was mutual.
Read moreMurungu excelled with the patients, making him the perfect fit for Diana’s volunteer work in a hospice care setting. He knew intuitively what patients needed and when they’d had enough. Best of all, he loved to snuggle with them in their beds – giving each a strong, warm hug.
Read moreOne of Buddy’s last visits was a meaningful connection with a woman who had just lost her own Golden Retriever.
Read MoreSami shared Lexi with a local library and school for many years, and her passing has been remembered beautifully by the people she helped.
Read MoreSimone connected with patients in a way that their healthcare providers or caregivers often could not.
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