Our mission is to empower people to live more fulfilling lives through the human-animal bond.
Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization seeks to empower people to live more fulfilling lives through the human-animal bond. Their services include literacy development through their reading program, ARF! (Animals + Reading = Fun!), promote mental health through their Wag Well program, and enrich the lives of children and adults through school visits and other community outreach.
ARF! consists of 4-week visits to local schools where children who are shy and reluctant readers have a safe space to read aloud to certified therapy dogs. At the end of the 4-week program, the children receive a Graduation Certificate and have greater self-confidence to read aloud.
Wag Well teaches children the skills they need to reduce stress and anxiety and remain focused and calm amid the demands of daily life at home, school, sports, and social interactions. Therapy dogs participate in each session to bring an added sense of calm and happiness to the children.