Paws with Partners is a group of volunteer animal teams registered with Pet Partners* who are dedicated to providing comfort to those individuals who need a break from their daily lives. We take our animals to visit a variety of facilities and participate in many public events for this purpose.
Animals are known for their ability to give unconditional love and these animals have been trained on how to interact with individuals in all kinds of situations.
Our group is growing every year and we look forward to reaching out even further in our efforts to provide people with access to our special animals. The animals come in all sizes and provide comfort in a variety of ways. Many people are animal lovers and are no longer able to live with a pet of their choice. We make our animals available for a short time to fulfill that human need to have contact with such loving creatures.
*Pet Partners is a national organization that trains and registers animals and their handlers for the purpose of visiting individuals who can benefit from animal therapy. If you are interested in becoming a registered pet partner team, please visit www.petpartners.org
OUR TEAMS
Duke and Abby
Pet Therapy Team Since September 2012
Let me introduce you to Duke and his partner, Abby. Duke is a Red Golden Retriever who was rescued from the Arlington Dog Park and taken to the South Arlington Animal Hospital where Abby adopted him in August 2011. Duke is very friendly and loves people and other dogs. Duke has his AKC Canine Good Citizenship Certificate and is also registered in the R.E.A.D. Program (Reading Education Assistant Dogs). This program provides opportunities for children to read to animals. Abby has been registered with Pet Partners for over 9 years and is also certified to be a Pet Partner Evaluator. Making visits to UTA and rehabilitation, assisted living, and retirement centers in the Mansfield/South Arlington area is a very important part of this team’s life. They bring such joy to people who are lonely and seldom have visitors.
Max and Steve
Pet Therapy Team Since December, 2010
Meet Max and his partner Steve Burn. Max was rescued from the Arlington Animal Services Center, December 2009. He is a mixed breed and according to a DNA test is part Chow Chow, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Bull Terrier & Poodle. Max’s credentials include an AKC (American Kennel Club), registered AKC Therapy Dog, earned his Canine Good Citizen certificate, and both he and Steve are registered with Pet Partners. In addition, Max is also registered with the R.E.A.D.(Reading Education Assistant Dogs program). Steve is also certified to be a Pet Partner Evaluator. Steve and Max enjoy visiting UTA and Assisted Living Facilities in the local area because they both like seeing how retirees and assisted living patrons light up when Max enters the facility. It provides joy to all involved in the encounters.
Winston and Pat
Pet Therapy Team Since December, 2011
Another team is Winston, a rescued greyhound and his partner Pat Jolley. Winston was rescued from Greyhounds Unlimited at the age of 6 ½ years old. Since that time, he has been in training for life in the real world. Winston has earned his AKC Good Canine Citizenship certificate and is registered with Pet Partners and the R.E.A.D. program.
Winston has a gentle, laid back personality and he and his partner make visits to UTA and Rehabilitation, Assisted Living and Retirement Centers in the Mansfield/South Arlington area. He is a big boy, just the right height for those in a wheel chair or confined to a bed.
Sophie and Debra
Pet Therapy Team Since December 2011
Sophie’s partner is Debra Mansury. Sophie is a Shih Tzu and she is a very loving young dog. Sophie and Debra became registered with Pet Partners after completing training in December, 2011. She has the biggest heart in the world and loves everyone – both people and other animals. They began visiting UTA, Rehabilitation, Assisted Living and Retirement Centers in the Mansfield/South Arlington area the beginning of 2012. Whenever Sophie and Debra make a visit to a facility they feel how much comfort and joy they bring to the lives of others.
Ziva and Kristina
Pet Therapy Team Since September 2012
Let me introduce you to Ziva and her partner Kristina. Ziva is a Siberian Husky who was adopted at 6 months from a family that couldn't take care of her anymore. Ziva has her AKC Good Canine Citizenship certificate and is registered with Pet Partners. Ziva is very friendly and loves people and other dogs. Ziva is making visits to Rehabilitation, Assisted Living and Retirement Centers in the Mansfield/South Arlington area. Ziva also works with autistic children in the Mansfield School District. Ziva's gentle, lovable personality makes her a perfect fit for helping autistic children connect with their environment.
Michelle, Chloe, and Marsha
Pet Therapy Teams Since November 2012
Meet Marsha and her Pet Partners Michelle and Chloe. Michelle and Chloe are toy poodles that enjoy obedience training and agility. Michelle is 7 years old and was rescued from a shelter where the breeder surrendered her. She was about a year old and was so shy when she came to live with Marsha. She is now a social butterfly and dances with her eyes and tiny little feet. She loves to play with her new younger sister. Chloe is 1 12 and is full of energy.
Both Michele and Chloe are AKC K-9 good citizens as well as being registered with Pet Partners. They make visits to UTA and Assisted Living Facilities in the local area.
Prissy and Renita
Pet Therapy Team Since April 2012
When Renita found Prissy, her 4 year old miniature horse she knew right away that this horse was meant for her. Renita has been a volunteer for therapeutic horseback riding programs since 2004. When she learned about Pet Partners she began training Prissy in February, 2011 and she passed her evaluation with Pet Partners and was registered in April, 2012. Prissy loves dogs and Renita thinks she may believe she is one sometimes. Prissy is house trained and wears her own little tennis shoes (she particularly likes the shiny pink ones) so that she can walk on floors and not fall. Prissy also loves being around people and takes everything in stride.Renita loves to help people find opportunities to smile and create wonderful memories. People in pain, struggling with health or other disabilities benefit so much from animal visits. Renita says it is also the kind of volunteer work that lowers her stress level and makes her happy. This is a win-win situation for this partnership.
Molly and Vickie
Pet Therapy Team Since August, 2013
Meet Molly and her companion Vickie. Molly is a miniature Schnauzer/Maltese mix adopted from the Mansfield Animal Shelter. Molly has completed basic, intermediate and advanced obedience training. In August 2013 she received both the Canine Good Citizen Certification and registration with Pet Partners. Molly is also approved for the designation as a reading education assistance dog in the national R.E.A.D. program. Change this sentence. Molly and Vickie make visits to UTA, and a variety of rehabilitation and assisted living facilities in the local area. Faces light up when Molly goes on her visits and she enjoys the visits as much as the residents do.
Luke and Claire
Pet Therapy Team Since 2011
Let me introduce you to Luke and his partner Claire. Luke is a blonde cocker spaniel who was born in Chunky, Mississippi.. He came to live with Claire and his big brother Moses in July of 2010. Claire has been a registered member of Pet Partners since 2004. Luke is registered with Pet Partners and has been visiting for two years. His specialty is older adults. He enjoys geriatric psychiatry, assisted and extended care, and palliative care. He often lays his head in a client’s lap, offering a soft head and long ears to pet.
Claire and Luke recently moved from Birmingham, AL where they were actively involved in a group called “Hand In Paw”. Claire is a licensed Pet Partner instructor and evaluator and hopes to continue to offer courses and evaluations in the Fort Worth area.
Sugar and Debbie
Pet Therapy Team Since December 2011
A tired and matted Sugar was rescued by her partner Debbie Knight one day when they were out for a walk. Debbie was unable to find Sugar’s home. Best guess is she is about 2 ½ years old and may be Bichon or Maltese-poo. Only a DNA test will tell us for sure.
Sugar has her AKC Canine Good Citizenship Certification and is a registered member of Pet Partners. She and Debbie visit UTA, rehabilitation, Assisted Living and Retirement Centers in the Mansfield/South Arlington area. Sugar loves to cuddle with people and brings a smile to many faces during her visits.
Duchess, Abby and Sylvia
Pet Therapy Teams Since August, 2013
Duchess, a 1 1/2 old Border Collie mix came to live with Abby Wilson and her other registered dog Duke in January, 2013. She was a stray rescued by the Mansfield Animal Shelter and fostered by a volunteer while she had her seven puppies. By Christmas 2012 all her puppies where adopted and she was ready for her forever home.
Duchess earned her AKC Good Citizen Certificate, is registered with Pet Partners and makes visits with both Abby and Silvia Papp. Duchess visits nursing homes and memory care facilities and students at UTA. She loves her forever home with Abby’s other dog Duke.
Choco and Molly Woodbury
Pet Therapy Team Since 2013
Choco, a 4-month old chocolate lab mix, showed up at the gate of the Woodbury home one day. Molly has always loved working with people and animals and now that she is semi-retired she decided to add being the human part of a therapy animal team to her activities with her new found friend Choco. Molly worked with Choco training him through three levels of obedience training, passing his AKC Good Citizen test and becoming a Registered Pet Partner a month after his first birthday. He has also completed the requirements for Level 1 K9 Nose Work. Choco can now sniff out all kinds of things. Choco and Molly spend their time visiting people in the hospital and motivating adults and children in rehab facilities and gyms. They plan to add more visits to their schedule as time allows.
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