Therapy Dogs, because life is better with 4 legged friends!
Sometimes the best therapists have paws and tails.
Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy:
Animals help improve engagement and motivation with therapy
Animals promote relaxation including a lower heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and increased oxytocin (a brain chemical that promotes feeling good)
Animals help remind us that play is the universal language.
Animals help us learn about ourselves and others, increasing our own understanding and empathy for others.
Animals help us learn patience and acceptance.
Meet Samwise
HI! My name is Samwise. I'm a 20lb mini bernedoodle. I'm shy when meeting new people, but my dad tells me that's alright and lots of people are shy too which I think is pretty cool. Once I recognize humans I know though, I love pets and scratches! I love going on walks, car rides, and lounging at home. My favorite snack is anything with carbs, but my parents don’t let me eat too many of those, I get all the ice cubes I want though so that’s pretty cool.
I passed my AKC Canine Good Citizen training with my parents and am an honorary member of the Livingston County Suicide Prevention Task Force and have participated in both the SUNY Geneseo Out of the Darkness Walk supporting the AFSP and the annual Candlelight Vigil. 2026 will be the 5th vigil I’ve attended.
Meet Pippin
Hello! My name is Pippin and I'm about 40lbs and just like my dad (Samwise is my bio dad), I'm a bernedoodle. I just absolutely love people. When my parents took me to puppy training class, I didn't care so much about the other puppies, but I loved meeting all the humans. Do you like humans too? Sometimes big crowds are too overwhelming for me, but small groups and 1 on 1 is my jam.I love hanging out with my dad (my human dad, Jacob) and feel sad when I’m not with him so I’m really, really exited to be able to come with him to work sometimes! I love all food, but my tummy gets sensitive so mom and dad have me on a strict diet. I’ve always got room for an ice cube.
I’ve passed my AKC STAR Puppy and Good Citizen certification and am also an honorary member of the Livingston County Suicide Prevention Task Force and in 2025 got to join for both the SUNY Geneseo Out of the Darkness Campus Walk and annual Candlelight Vigil.
