Caring Canines Ltd. - Therapy Dog Program

Caring Canines is a 100% volunteer-based Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) organization in Northern Colorado.  Caring Canines has over 80 active dog teams working to improve the lives of individuals having difficulty in physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning and bring comfort and happiness to those in our community who need it most.

Our goals are to raise $10,000 and add 50 new dog teams to satisfy the existing demand in our area for therapy dog teams. It costs more than $200 to onboard a new dog team, and all donations up to our goal of $10,000 starting Nov 1st through Colorado Gives Day on Dec 10th, 2024 will be matched dollar for dollar and used for the following: training costs including facility rental and the best professional trainers available, equipment for volunteers, continuing education to assure that our clients benefit from new ideas and ensure our dogs provide a memorable experience for our clients, liability insurance, and more. 

Donate today so our schools, youth correctional facilities, adult day programs, memory care, assisted living and rehab facilities, stress relief and suicide prevention support programs, reading programs, and many other community services that pop-up throughout the year have the support that they need.

Testimonials

Working with Caring Canines has been such a positive, supportive, valuable experience for the students I work with. My students struggle with severe and impairing mental health issues, extensive histories of trauma, and troublesome behavioral difficulties. Through experiential work with the Caring Canines' team, these students have found a safe place at school and a unique environment to work on their social and emotional goals. My students look forward to working with Caring Canines every week and tell me that on those days, after having that time with the dog, they feel happier and like life is more doable.  

~ Katy, School Social Worker

At our Youth Services Center for incarcerated teens, we have several teams of Caring Canines come into our facility.  This is an absolute highlight for the youth who are working with the canine team, however not only is that one youth impacted for that day, but seeing a smiling dog and handler makes each youth and staff's day a bit brighter.  The youth working with these canine teams are often working on social skills and emotional regulation and we have seen them grow in these areas through their interactions with the dog and handler teams.  I am so thankful we have access to this amazing and kind resource. 

~ Clinical Director 

Caring Canines teams have come to our school with their dogs for several years and have worked with us in providing very positive experiences for our students. The teams are great to work with, are very understanding and supportive of our students, and provide wonderful learning opportunities and enjoyment for our students. We have seen many positive benefits for our students in social, emotional, behavioral, and learning areas from interactions with Caring Canines teams.                                  

~ David, School Psychologist

We love working with Caring Canines at our school site! The Caring Canines' team that volunteers at our school is an incredible duo and they provide our students with a fun, caring, and safe environment to process and heal. Our staff members have wonderful things to say about the progress that is made in and out of the classroom for our students who see this Caring Canines' team! We have seen positive impact with some of our highest need students at our school regarding regulation, skill building, self-esteem, etc. Every school needs a Caring Canines' team like this one.               

~ School Counselor

When I’m broken into pieces, Oscar helps put me back together.              

~ Willow, Student

Your volunteer and her dog are a powerhouse duo!  She brings her compassion to every session.  She accepts the students right where they are at, and she offers kindness and understanding to them.  She often builds as close of a connection with the student as her dog does and that's saying a lot.  Her dog is the expert at building relationships.  Your volunteer truly knows what it means to provide support to children. Her experience has added to our collaboration when setting goals for students and evaluating progress. She is the ultimate professional and her ethics are uncompromising.                               

~ Mental Health Specialist

We appreciate you and your teams more than you know.  Your volunteer and her dog are amazing and the student and classroom community always feel the love when they are here!!!

~ School Counselor