Animal Assisted Therapy Program

The Healing Power of Animals

Animal-assisted therapy can benefit sick and injured children in many ways, from providing comfort in times of stress to offering a distraction during a painful procedure. Phoenix Children’s Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs bring the healing power of animals to our patients and their families.

The program has 36 volunteer therapy animals—34 dogs and two cats—who visit the hospital weekly with their owners. In addition, the program has two full-time facility dogs. Each facility dog works 40 hours a week alongside a specially trained staff member.

The Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs—including the facility dog teams—are funded entirely by donations. Find out how you can support Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs.