The Pawtastics

For those of you wondering, just what IS a therapy dog?

There’s no simple answer :) but here is a perfect example.

Meet, Boo.

Need another reason to get involved with your local therapy dog organization?

If you live in Los Angeles or the DC area, please visit Comfort Paws and join us!

Check out a recent press release from one of my favorite websites, TripsWithPets.com:

(I-Newswire) - South Portland, ME – October 29, 2008 – With the volatility of the current economic situation, many Americans are experiencing great angst and uncertainty.  Newspapers, television, around the water cooler – it seems everywhere they look; Americans are reminded of the economy’s instability.  There seems to be no relief from this stress…or is there?

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According to The American Humane Association:

What are Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-assisted activities (AAA) provide opportunities for motivational, educational and/or recreational benefits to enhance a person’s quality of life. AAA are delivered by professionals, para-professionals or volunteers who demonstrate knowledge about animals and the human populations with which they interact. As an example of AAA, an individual brings his or her dog to a long-term care facility to visit the residents. Although the staff is involved in the visits, no treatment goals have been set for the visit and, aside from signing in and out, no records are kept.

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THE PAWTASTICS is a not-for-profit volunteer family of happy canines and their humans, comprised of celebrity dogs, studio canines and other exceptionally-trained animals who provide animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) services to individuals of all ages with social, emotional and cognitive needs in healthcare facilities, social agencies and educational programs in Southern California. (more…)

The Pawtastics is a non-profit volunteer family of happy canines and their humans who provide animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) services to individuals of all ages with social, emotional, and cognitive needs in the Southern California area.  Comprised of celebrity dogs, studio dogs, and exceptionally trained canines and their humans, the Pawtastics aspire to take therapy dog work to another level, with a focus on youth-related initiatives and animal-assisted crisis response. (more…)

From the feature documentary, ANIMAL PEOPLE — the humane movement in America: Rachelle Pachtman and her therapy dog Shaina convey the inspirational rewards of animal-assisted therapy. I can’t wait until mom and I get started with THE PAWTASTICS here in Los Angeles!