Pet Pals began in March of 1984 when TPPT founder, Kathryn Lashmit, was inspired after reading about an experimental animal assisted therapy program. She decided to try to make a real difference in the lives of people living in local healthcare facilities by taking her puppy on a visit. Although hesitant at first, a nursing home administrator agreed to a trial visit. The staff watched with delight as residents smiled and reached out for the little bundle of life that lovingly greeted everyone. At that moment, Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, Inc. was born.

TPPT is a private non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) corporation that was founded solely for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life for all institutionalized people. TPPT’s pet therapy program gives happiness and companionship to those “most often forgotten” in today’s society: the elderly, the mentally and physically challenged, and the terminally ill.

TPPT’s animal assisted therapy visitations make a difference in the lives of people who are confined to institutionalized living. Our volunteers and their therapy dogs visit healthcare facilities to share their love, heart-to-heart and one-on-one. Through regular visits, TPPT’s pets BOND with the patients/residents who desperately need the unconditional love offered by our gentle, loving pet volunteers.

From TPPT’s humble beginning in 1984, we have grown to approximately 200 trained volunteers and even more pets. We are currently serving approximately 90 different healthcare facilities/institutions, which include: nursing homes, medical hospitals, rehabilitation centers, MHMR State facilities and many other “special need” environments. No fee or service charge has ever been required for our Pet Pal programs.




Kathryn R. Lashmit 1942 - 2016

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Board of Directors

Thomas G. Bradfield, D.V.M.,
   Chairman
Nancy J. Gray,
   Executive Director
James D. Lashmit
James E. Payne, C.P.A.
Jason M. Gray, Esquire
Megan S. Medica,
   Director Emeritus



Office Staff

Nancy Gray, Executive Director
Nedy West, Volunteer Coordinator
Jane Adams, Grants Manager





Foundations

Carl C. Anderson Sr. & Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation
Arnold Foundation
Donald D. Hammill Foundation
Ed Rachal Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation
ForeSight Foundation
RWH Foundation
Salzman-Medica Family Fund
Shomos Family Foundation LTD
The Abbott Foundation
The David and Willa Grace Wynne Foundation
The Lind Family Charitable Foundation
The Medallion Foundation
The R. H. and A. Q. Lawe Foundation
The Ray & June Smith Charitable Foundation

Corporate & Business Sponsors

AT&T
Dell
ExxonMobil Corporation
Flatfile
Healthy Pets
Hearts & Paws
IBM
Kendra Scott
KUT Radio
Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce
Longhorn Trophies
Macy's
Microsoft
National Instruments
Network for Good
New York Life
Statehouse Printing, Inc.
The Oasis Lake Travis
WellSky Foundation
Westlake Animal Hospital
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming/Bee Cave