Animal Therapy
Interacting with a dog, cat, rabbit, or other friendly animal can reduce stress and bring joy. The programs listed on this page help pet owners bring their pets into contact with others who could benefit from animal therapy. Please note that a therapy animal is not the same as a service animal for a person with a disability.
Click on the v-shaped arrow to the right of each program description to view more information.
Capital Therapy Dogs is a volunteer organization that screens and registers dogs and their handlers as therapy dog teams. They arrange for therapy dogs to be brought to different settings, including schools, libraries, and long-term care facilities.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone in the Sacramento area
Email: can send message through Contact Us page
Website: https://capitaltherapydogs.org/
This volunteer organization offers animal-assisted therapy to people of all ages at locations such as assisted living facilities, hospitals, schools, and libraries. Therapy animals may be dogs, cats, or rabbits.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone (serves Sacramento County and adjacent counties)
Address: 11230 Gold Express Dr., Ste 310 #284, Gold River, CA 95670
Email: lendaheart.aat@lendaheart.org
Website: https://lendaheart.org/
Note: organizations may request regular therapy animal visits through an on-line application form
Hospice volunteers who are also animal handlers help Mercy Hospice patients interact with therapy animals at their request. Visits can occur anywhere the patient is living.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: Mercy Hospice patients (requires physician approval)
Phone: (916) 281-3900
Pet Partners is a national organization that promotes the benefits of animal-assisted therapy. They provide education and training for animal handlers and help make connections between pet owners and facilities wanting to offer animal therapy.
Cost: some courses and trainings have a registration cost, other information and matching services are free
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 345 118th Ave SE Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98005
Phone: (425) 679-5514
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://petpartners.org/about-us/
This program connects volunteer pet owners with residential facilities such as nursing homes and children's homes to allow residents to interact with dogs, cats, or rabbits.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 6201 Florin-Perkins Rd., Sacramento, CA 95828
Phone: (916) 383-7387
Email: nvergara@sspca.org
Website: https://www.sspca.org/loveonloan
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This page was originally created by Kaaliyah Oakley. Last updated 2/3/2023