Therapy Dogs United, Inc. reaches beyond traditional forms of rehabilitation and treatment. A therapy dog is extremely patient, loving and provides great companionship. Through Therapy Dogs United, our certified therapy dogs and volunteer handlers work as a team to bring joy to every human life we touch. Our dogs love human contact and have no language barrier! We strive to improve the emotional well-being and quality of life to the greater Erie community.Therapy Dogs United brings only the best-natured, and most well-trained dogs to your location, free of charge! Our highly trained dogs provide emotional support to anyone who can benefit from the unique animal-to-human bond. Our certified dogs and volunteer handlers regularly visit hospitals, rehabilitation and hospice facilities, schools, senior centers, nursing communities, homeless shelters, homes for youth at-risk, and bereavement centers. Therapy Dogs United has a number of outreach programs tailored specifically to meet your needs...and our programs are growing every day!
What Exactly Does a Therapy Dog Do?
Sometimes a therapy dog just sits or lies quietly while being petted - listening to story after story about a nursing home resident's former dog. Sometimes a therapy dog will visit an elementary school to help teach children about the humane care of animals, or join in during story time to help relax the group. But, did you know that a therapy dog can help a child to learn? A child who has difficulty reading is the perfect candidate to curl up along side a therapy dog to enjoy a good book. Studies show children find the non-judgemental ears of a therapy dog the perfect choice to hone and improve their reading skills. A therapy dog may also work with disabled or autistic children. In a hospital setting, a therapy dog might visit patients in pediatrics, oncology, or even hospice centers. Sometimes a hospital will invite a therapy dog to visit the emergency room because of the calming effect on patients, doctors, nurses and staff members working in the high-stress environment.
How Can a Therapy Dog Help You?
Visiting with animals can help people feel less lonely and less depressed. People are more active and responsive both during and after a visit with animals. Medical studies and clinical research show that a therapy dog can not only have medical benefits - such as stress relief, or lowered blood pressure - but provide a sense of comfort, confidence, and companionship.
With Therapy Dogs United - the Therapist is ALWAYS in! Our volunteers bring you comfort, trust, and a powerful prescription only a LOVING therapy dog can provide!
Please consider helping our nonprofit organization by making a donation today. We have an urgent need for your support.
Spray on the Bay is Looking for Local Artists
Therapy Dogs United, Inc. is looking for local artists to commission Erie's 2008 Fire Hydrant Beautification Project. Phase One will transform every fire hydrant lining State Street - from Dobbins Landing to 14th Street - into a piece of art. To see more, visit our News and Events page, or sprayonthebay.com
Our June Newsletter is Online Now!
To download our June 2008 Newsletter, click on this box .
TDU Therapy Dog Testing:
July 15th at JMC Ice Arena
Therapy Dogs United will host our next Therapy Dog Evaluation on Tuesday, July 15th at the JMC Ice Arena. Reserve your place now by calling our office at (814) 456-3647, or Email us at: Pat@therapydogsunited.org. Want your dog to be certified as an AKC Canine Good Citizen? We can do that too! For more information, or to schedule, call today!
September Marks Responsible Dog Ownership Month
Join Therapy Dogs United at Frontier Park from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 20th for a doggone good time as we put the spotlight on Erie dog owners who do their part to raise healthy, happy dogs! Meet our team of therapy dogs, see agility dogs perform, learn Canine CPR and First Aid, plus more fun than you can shake a tail at! To read more, visit our News and Events page.