Dear Friends of Therapy Dogs of America,

2025 has been a year of extraordinary growth and transformation! Together, we’ve made tremendous strides in fulfilling our mission to provide comfort and healing through the power of therapy dogs.

Thanks to your generosity, our programs have expanded their reach and touched the lives of more than 20,000 people through 400 visits to schools, libraries, homeless shelters, hospitals, senior living communities, rehabilitation centers, the Santa Barbara Airport, museums, and more.

From children gaining confidence through our ARF! Literacy Program, to seniors finding companionship during facility visits, to students discovering mindfulness through our Wag Well Program, our therapy dogs are making a positive impact across every community we serve.

We’re proud to share a few highlights of what we’ve accomplished in California, Connecticut, and New York from January to October 2025:

ARF! and Wag Well continue to be our core youth education programs. Both will be launching on the East Coast in Winter 2025.

In 2025, we introduced private visits to homebound individuals. These visits have quickly become a regular part of our Senior Outreach Program in addition to group facilities visits.

This year also marked two exciting milestones:

We Became a National Organization: What began as Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara has grown into Therapy Dogs of America, a national nonprofit. We now have therapy dog teams and programs in New York and Connecticut, with plans to expand further along the East Coast. This strategic growth ensures the longevity of our mission while bringing comfort and connection to even more communities.
Ventura County Expansion: We entered into a contract with Ventura County Behavioral Health to provide therapy dog visits for group therapy sessions. We’ve hired a Program Manager and two part-time therapy dog teams who all participate in weekly sessions throughout the county's ten outpatient clinics — and we've already received a request to expand the program!

Our Santa Barbara Airport Program continues to be a hit amongst travelers and volunteer teams alike, and our monthly visits to the Santa Barbara Jail are making a meaningful impact for inmates and staff.

As the demand for our services continues to grow, so does our commitment to providing a high level of service, but we can’t do it without you. Your generosity allows us to offer our programs free of charge to the community — ensuring therapy dogs remain accessible to those who need them most.

As we close out 2025, we invite you to make a tax-deductible year-end gift to support our continued growth and impact. Every contribution — no matter the size — helps us bring more comfort, connection, and joy to those who need it most. Thank you for being a vital part of the Therapy Dogs of America family. All donations of $125 or more will receive 10 of our Holiday Cards to send to loved ones.

Join our PAWSitive Pack by making an annual donation of $1,000+ and/or naming us in your Estate Planning. PAWSitive Pack Members are listed in the Donor section of our website and will receive two tickets to a special appreciation party in Spring 2026.

Together, we can create a brighter, happier, and more compassionate community for all. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with health, happiness, and hope!

Furry & Bright Holiday Fundraiser 2025

By Therapy Dogs of America

Furry & Bright Holiday Fundraiser 2025

Your gift keeps our tails wagging and our mission moving!