Nonpro t
BY KAROLINE PFEIL
Therapy Pet Pals of Texas offers pet visits for the elderly While sharing the company of a dog or cat may seem like an ordinary day-to-day experience for most pet owners, it may o er notable mental health bene ts for more isolated individuals stay- ing at nursing homes or long-term care facilities. In order to promote these bene ts, Therapy Pet Pals of Texas was founded in Austin in 1984 by Kathryn Lashmit, and has been o ering pet visitations to the elderly and in rm ever since. The overview Therapy Pet Pals of Texas is a private nonpro t that assists the elderly, terminally ill and mentally or physically challenged. “Our volunteers take their dogs to visit people at nursing homes, hospitals ... schools, all kinds of things,” Executive Director Nancy Gray said.
Visits from Therapy Pet Pals’ dogs may provide mental health bene ts for those in care facilities.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THERAPY PET PALS OF TEXAS
The bene ts Pet visitations o ered by volunteers and their therapy dogs can provide a positive bonding experience for those con ned to institutional living facilities. “The residents just know when you’re coming. They remember the dog’s name, not always yours. It’s all about the dogs for us,” Gray said.
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CAMP CRAFT RD.
3930 Bee Caves Road, Ste. C, Austin www.therapypetpals.org
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