People Animals Love

PAL’s mission is to use the power of the human-animal bond to comfort the lonely, ease the pain of the sick, and enrich people’s lives. PAL screens, trains, and registers therapy dog-handler teams who make more than 2,000 visits a year, serving 7,000 people monthly in the DC metro area. PAL dog-handler teams connect with veterans and senior residents of retirement homes and long-term care facilities, reducing loneliness and promoting well-being; give a joyful and needed break to police officers, hospital frontline workers, and hardworking school staff; support families fleeing violence by providing safe spaces and opportunities for gentle, healing touch; deliver stress relief and mental health support for elementary, middle, high school and college students; listen to children read without judgment or correction, helping them build their confidence, in libraries and schools; complement health professionals’ therapeutic and recreational services for clients; and comfort animal-loving hospice patients and their families