PAL harnesses the power of the human-animal bond to enrich people’s lives. It screens, trains, and registers volunteer therapy dog-handler teams who make more than 2,000 visits a year, serving 7,000 people monthly in the DC metro area. Therapy dog teams connect with older adults and veterans in senior housing and assisted-living facilities to reduce loneliness and promote wellbeing. Hospital frontline workers, police officers, and school staff take a joyful break at their workplaces while K-12 and college students receive mental health support on campus. Therapy dog teams complement health professionals’ therapeutic services for clients, including comforting hospice patients and their families. From providing safe spaces for families in crisis to building children’s confidence by listening to them read without judgment, PAL’s therapy doghandler teams strengthen our communities.
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