Winter 2009 ⢠V ol. 43 No. 4 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
Winter 2009 ⢠V ol. 43 No. 4 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
Winter 2009 ⢠V ol. 43 No. 4 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
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Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation Funds Pet-Assisted Therapy<br />
The Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation has been<br />
supporting the <strong>San</strong> <strong>Diego</strong> <strong>Humane</strong> <strong>Society</strong><strong>and</strong> <strong>SPCA</strong>’s<br />
Pet-Assisted Therapy (P-AT) program for the last five<br />
years by funding the minivan that transports v<strong>ol</strong>unteers <strong>and</strong><br />
animal ambassadors on thous<strong>and</strong>s of visits to facilities serving<br />
people of all ages. In July <strong>2009</strong>, the Foundation approved a<br />
grant for $20,000 to provide general operating support for<br />
the P-AT program, which is staffed by one part-time program<br />
coordinator <strong>and</strong> more than 110 dedicated v<strong>ol</strong>unteers.<br />
The P-AT program brings the joy <strong>and</strong> unconditional love<br />
of animals to children <strong>and</strong> adults in hospitals, health care<br />
facilities <strong>and</strong> assisted living centers across <strong>San</strong> <strong>Diego</strong> County.<br />
Twice each day, seven days a week, <strong>Humane</strong> <strong>Society</strong> v<strong>ol</strong>unteers<br />
bring animals to visit people who aren’t able to experience the<br />
joys of pet companionship due to their living situations. Last<br />
year, the P-AT program made visits to 589 facilities, touching<br />
the lives of more than 11,000 people. This year, these visits<br />
will be made possible because of the generosity of the Ellen<br />
Browning Scripps Foundation.<br />
Photo: C<strong>and</strong>ice Eley<br />
“The unconditional love provided by a Pet-Assisted Therapy<br />
animal has a positive impact on the lives of so many people.<br />
Individual lives are enhanced by the comfort of the animals. P-AT<br />
touches the mind, body <strong>and</strong> spirit. The Ellen Browning Scripps<br />
Foundation proudly supports this important program provided<br />
by the <strong>San</strong> <strong>Diego</strong> <strong>Humane</strong> <strong>Society</strong>.”<br />
– Doug Dawson, Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation Executive Director<br />
V<strong>ol</strong>unteers Maricela <strong>and</strong> Judy introduce Doug Dawson of the Ellen Browning<br />
Scripps Foundation to some friendly rats in the P-AT program.<br />
The <strong>San</strong> <strong>Diego</strong> <strong>Humane</strong> <strong>Society</strong>’s core programs <strong>and</strong> services<br />
promote the human-animal bond, <strong>and</strong> Pet-Assisted Therapy is<br />
a perfect example of such a program. We extend our heartfelt<br />
thanks <strong>and</strong> gratitude to the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation<br />
for this grant <strong>and</strong> for all of its most generous support of the <strong>San</strong><br />
<strong>Diego</strong> <strong>Humane</strong> <strong>Society</strong> over the past 13 years.<br />
18 www.sdhumane.org<br />
AnimalFare • <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2009</strong>
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