Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers people to live more fulfilling lives through the human-animal bond, has announced its expansion from a local initiative to a national organization with the new name of Therapy Dogs of America.
With the opening of a new chapter on the East Coast serving New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and eventually Massachusetts, and expanding its California presence to include Ventura County, Therapy Dogs of America said it is poised to make a greater impact and serve more communities across the country.
Since its founding in 1997, Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara has been dedicated to providing uplifting therapy dog visits to schools, senior care facilities and community organizations.
The organization has successfully implemented its ARF! (Animals + Reading = Fun!) literacy program and Wag Well Mindfulness program in dozens of schools and touched the lives of some 17,000 people in 2024 through programs and therapy dog visits to more than 52 locations in Santa Barbara County.
The national expansion marks a milestone in Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara’s journey to bring meaningful change to even more individuals and communities.
“Our vision has always been to expand our impact and ensure support reaches those who need it most,” said Carey Bradshaw, executive director of Therapy Dogs of America.
“By launching new chapters across the country, we’re not just growing, we’re building a powerful, united network of volunteers, donors, and community partners who share our passion for spreading love, joy, and hope to people of all ages,” Bradshaw said.
The newly launched chapter will initially offer ARF! and Therapy Dog visits to schools, libraries, senior care facilities, hospitals, and businesses in the tri-state area.
The Wag Well Mindfulness program, which is slated to launch in schools in the fall, is dedicated to ensuring Therapy Dogs of America’s mission remains at the forefront of every local effort, said Heidi Lobel, director of the East Coast Chapter
“I am thrilled to help expand this exceptional organization’s impact,” Lobel said. “We look forward to welcoming dedicated volunteers, partners, and sponsors to help support our programs and improve people’s lives through dog therapy.”
For more on how to get involved, visit www.therapydogsamerica.org, contact Jody Williams, director of development and marketing at jody@therapydogsamerica.org, or call 805-679-1723.
Therapy Dogs of America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, seeks to empower people to live more fulfilling lives through the human-animal bond.
Services include literacy development through their reading program ARF! (Animals + Reading = Fun!), promote mental health through the Wag Well program, and enrich the lives of children and adults through Therapy Dog visits to schools, senior care facilities and other community outreach.