F ALL 2006 • V ol. 41 No. 3 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

c o v e r s t o r y
Love Comes in All Sizes: Pet-Assisted Therapy Delivers Animal Companionship
(continued from page 5)
“The structure of the Pet-Assisted
Therapy program makes me feel
helpful because there’s always
something to do,” said Pet-Assisted
Therapy volunteer David Carr, a one
and half year volunteer veteran with
the program. “I love that I can be of
service to others and interact with
animals at the same time.”
The program receives financial
support from generous individuals and
community groups, and charges only
nominal fees when visiting for-profit
facilities. Last year, a grant from the
Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation paid
for a new P-AT program van used to
transport volunteers and animals to and
from their visits.
Of course the true magic of the P-AT
program is in how the animals are able
to bring people together while simultaneously
bringing a special kind of joy to
Want to get your dog
certified to be a therapy
pet? Sign up for our
Canine Good Citizen class
– Call (619) 299-7012,
ext. 2273 to learn how!
One group that felt the call to help P-AT animals were the students of the
SAVE (Stop All Violence Everywhere) Club at Los Penasquitos Elementary School.
When the group learned about the work Pet-Assisted Therapy animals do for
people in the community, they decided to raise money to sponsor Muriel, one of
the P-AT rabbits. By recycling cans and bottles, the SAVE Club was able to raise
the $60 necessary to cover the care of Muriel’s six month stay in the program.
Pet-Assisted Therapy Coordinator Judith Eisenberg was so touched by the group’s
efforts that she brought Muriel to the school one day so the children could meet
the rabbit they had worked so hard to support!
people unable to have pets of their
own. Animals and the bond we share
with them are a vital component of
the interconnectivity that makes up
our daily lives. For many people who
can not have pets of their own due to
circumstance, the animals and
volunteers of the Pet-Assisted Therapy
program can help fulfill this need
for more enriching experiences.
SW
Photo: Tricia Macri
Help Animals Help People – Sponsor a Pet Assisted Therapy Animal!
Your sponsorship will pay for
food and veterinary care so an
animal can bring the joy of animal
companionship to special people
in the community.
Please return this form with
payment to:
Judith Eisenberg
Pet-Assisted Therapy Coordinator
San Diego Humane Society
5500 Gaines Street
San Diego, CA 92110
What type of animal would you like to sponsor? o Rabbit o Guinea Pig o Rat
How long would you like to sponsor the animal? o Three months ($30) o Six months ($60)
How would you like to sponsor the animal? o Credit Card (circle one) MasterCard Visa AMEX
Card no.______________________________________________________________ Expiration date __________
o Check payable to the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
Name__________________________________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip __________________
Phone _____________________________________ Email ______________________________________________
www.sdhumane.org
AnimalFare • Fall 2006