History

Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, Inc.
3930 Bee Cave Road, Suite C
Austin, TX 78746

(512) 347-1984

email: tppt_admin@therapypetpals.org

Volunteer Center hours & days: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday (closed Tuesdays & weekends)

History

History of Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, Inc.

TPPT began in March of 1984 with one woman's desire to make a real difference. Inspired after reading of an experimental pet therapy program, she phoned a local nursing home seeking permission to bring her small Pekingese dog for a visit.

Although hesitant, the nursing home agreed to an "interview" 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. TPPT was founded in March 1984, and incorporated January 1990. It was an all volunteer organization with the many duties/responsibilities being accomplished through the efforts and dedication of our volunteer members until 1998 when grant funding allowed us to employ two part time persons.

TPPT was founded solely for the purpose of giving quality of life to all institutionalized people. TPPT's pet therapy programs give happiness and companionship to those "most often forgotten" in today's society: the elderly, the mentally and physically challenged, and the terminally ill.

TPPT began pet therapy visitation programs in March 1984 to make a difference in the lives of people who were confined to institutionalized living. TPPT is not a dog/animal club. Pets play a vital role in our volunteer work, but we do not promote any breed, dog club or activity. We visit Health Care Facilities/Institutions to share 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.

In 1984, pet therapy was virtually unheard of by the general public. There were no rules, regulations or guidelines to follow. With dedication/perseverance, TPPT worked to establish safe, effective, and sanitary guidelines for proper conduct and procedures in animal visitation programs for an institutional environment. In 1989, TPPT was recognized (through TV and newspaper stories) for its successful work in pet therapy. The ensuing publicity generated such interest that our membership "exploded," as well as the number of health care facilities requesting Pet Pal volunteers to start pet therapy programs!

From TPPT's humble beginning in 1984, we have grown to almost 200 pets, and 190 trained volunteers. We are currently serving approximately 84 different health care facilities/institutions, which include: nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, MHMR State and County facilities, School for the Blind, and many other "special need" environments. No fee or service charge has ever been required for our Pet Pal programs; our services are free to all health care facilities/institutions in need of pet therapy.

In 2005, TPPT volunteers logged 12,326 hours in service to their communities, traveled approximately 103,080 miles (at their own expense), and they were responsible for 101,150 smiles from the residents/patients they visited! We estimate these figures should increase dramatically due to our continued growth in membership enrollment.

If you would like to see "first hand" what a tremendous difference TPPT volunteers make in the lives of the institutionalized, we sincerely invite you to join us on a Pet Pal visit. We would be proud for you to witness the "hope and joy" that we give to thousands of residents/patients each year. Read our requirements for pet and owner, then call (512) 347-1984 for the Austin/Central Texas area and/or for The Woodlands/Houston chapter to schedule your visit with a volunteer and her Pet, and share our unique volunteer service!