Share-A-Pet

Share-A-Pet was a national non-profit healthcare organization that specialized in providing animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to individuals in clinical and educational settings. Founded in 1991, the organization focused on training and certifying therapy dog teams to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and schools to provide emotional and physical support. Their programs targeted a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, and physical disabilities, by utilizing the therapeutic benefits of the human-animal bond. Share-A-Pet established rigorous standards for therapy animal certification, ensuring safe and effective interventions for patients of all ages. Although the national organization dissolved in 2021, its impact on the field of pet therapy remains significant through the many volunteers and local chapters it inspired.