PetPals NC connects therapy dog teams with students who need them

PetPals NC is a group that connects people and animals by recruiting therapy dog teams to work with K-12 children in school settings. They don’t do the therapy dog training, rather they serve as a bridge between school officials, teachers, and counselors and the therapy dog teams.

“We currently serve multiple schools in North Carolina within Orange County, Chapel Hill – Carrboro, and Durham districts . . . and we have numerous requests for new teams, so we hope to raise funds needed to continue our growth.”

Students are selected for the program by their counselor or other school official and that individual also helps plan and direct the session while the dog handler monitor’s and facilitates the interactions between the student and the dog. At this time, there are only dog teams working with PetPals but they are open to including teams with other animals, like cats.

Here are some of the things that the dogs may do in schools:

“Services provided are called Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), both similar, but AAT is more involved (specifically planned interventions that are goal-directed, designed for a particular student, and progress is measured).

Students can be worked with individually, or in small or large groups.

Whole classrooms might be involved, such as in presentations about animal care or humane education. Depending on the task, work can take place in the classroom, in offices, or outside.

Examples of Pet-Assisted Interventions in Schools:

– Practice teaching the animal something new using sequencing.

– Practice reading and articulation

– Learn about and practice care, watering, and feeding of the animal

– Manipulate vest zippers and collar buckles

– Brush and pet

– Remember and repeat information about the animal to others

– Take the animal for a supervised walk

– Receive and give appropriate affection and acceptance with the animal

– Discuss how animals may feel in certain situations and compare to humans

– Learn gentle ways to handle animals

– Signal and/or verbalize commands”

You can learn more about PetPals NC on their website, linked above, and on their social media channels, Facebook and Instagram.

Find your perfect match with Pawfect Match Rescue and Rehabilitation!

Pawfect Match Rescue and Rehabilitation is a 501c3 non-profit all breed dog and puppy rescue group based in Holly Springs, N.C.

“We are a network of dedicated volunteers that open our homes and our hearts to the unwanted adoptable animals in the rural high kill shelters of N.C.”

The people of Pawfect Match know that they can’t save them all but for the dogs they can save, they are determined to give them the absolute best life possible. This means they live in foster homes with families while they decompress from their past and prepare for their new life with their “pawfect match”. They get vet care, including vaccines and spay/neuter surgery. They get basic training, and most importantly, they get all the love and affection their foster families can give. The time they spend getting to know each dog allows them to have the best chance possible at finding just the right home for them.

Meet Mork, one of their pups looking for his fur-ever home!

“Mork has the personality of a big dog wrapped in a medium-sized package. He’s a very sweet boy but has anxieties and fears that make it a challenge for him to find his Pawfect Match. Mork is a homebody who is most happy at home with folks he knows and trusts. Since he is anxious and afraid in new situations, he is very slow to warm up to new people and to new dogs. Once he’s 10,000% comfortable, Mork loves people, cuddles, tummy rubs, treats and romping with his pup friends.

As we know, with big personality comes big responsibility. So, if you’re an experienced and dog savvy person up for a challenge, if you enjoy snuggles, hugs, and staying close to home, you may have found your Pawfect Match in this super deserving pup!”

You can keep up with Mork, his adoptable buddies, and everything else Pawfect Match does on their website, linked above, and on their social media channels, Facebook and Instagram.

Eastern NC, here's a group from your area, The Maggie Society!

If you live east of Raleigh, heads up! You’ll often find this group out your way as they are based in Wilson. The Maggie Society Rescue, Rehabilitation, & Education is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing homeless, neglected and abandoned dogs. Though they are based further out, they are one of our regular rescues to hold adoption events at our Cary store so regular customers there may recognize them!

The Maggie Society is a foster based group which means that their dogs live in foster homes with families while they learn how to be upstanding members of the family and get ready for their next chapter. Other volunteers keep busy doing transport drives north up the coast to get dogs to their fur-ever homes with The Maggie Society’s northern rescue partners. In addition to their adoption program, they work to educate the community about responsible pet ownership and help reduce the number of homeless dogs in need.

Say hello to Mako, one of their adoptable dogs!

“Meet Mako, the most resilient and loving boy to land in the middle of a rescue situation. Mako is simply amazing. He was found with a severe leg injury that required amputation but he has not let that slow him down in the least. He gets along beautifully with other pets, especially dogs, and allows their energy to drive his. If they want to play– he’s all in–if they want to chill, he’s right there with them. He has been around cats and was respectful of their space and nonreactive. He didn’t even bark…until another resident goof-ball dog barked….he’s obviously trying to fit in to overcome his handicap. He can navigate a flight of stairs better than his middle-aged foster mom and usually would win in the race up! Mako is a splendid boy with a velvety soft coat. He is working on house manners but will cue his people when he has to go out. Mako is thought to be about a year old, is neutered and vetted as age appropriate. He was a nicely proportioned 37 lbs and is going to be a fabulous addition and inspiration to any family who selects him.”

You can keep up with Mako, The Maggie Society, and their other adoptable dogs on their website, linked above, or on their social media channels, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.