Bringing smiles to patients and seniors with HSTT certified therapy pets.

The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe’s Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) program was established in 1997. Through this program, certified HSTT volunteers and their companion animals visit Tahoe Forest Hospital’s Extended Care Center, the med/surgical (inpatient) department and other various Tahoe Forest Hospital programs, such as hospice, in-home healthcare and the Children’s Center. HSTT volunteers and their pets touch the lives of many people (residents, patients, family, and staff) during their visits. Pet Assisted Therapy visits are gifts that are given to the community year-round, and the health benefits an animal’s company can provide are numerous: lower blood pressure, greater feelings of self-worth, less depression and anxiety. Like all gifts, Pet Assisted Therapy benefits both the giver and the recipient, and HSTT volunteers find participating in the program extremely rewarding.

Volunteers over the age of eighteen and their pets must complete a variety of "testing" in order to be certified to participate in this program. Once certified, volunteers must commit to visiting a minimum of two times per month in one or more of TFH’s programs. If you think you might be interested in volunteering for this program, please contact our office at (530) 587-0667.