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PETS ON WHEELS OF SCOTTSDALE

PETS ON WHEELS OF SCOTTSDALE

About Pets on Wheels

We're a pet-visitation therapy program in Scottsdale, AZ. Our 130 volunteer-pet teams make weekly visits to nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals, psychiatric units, cancer centers, developmentally challenged youth classes, a school for behaviorly challenged youth, and some homebound. We also teach pet safety to 1,600 second graders each year and help others establish similar therapy programs, around the world. Our office is at 1700 N. Granite Reef Drive, Scottsdale, AZ. 85257.

Some Background

Neal Jennings founded Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale in 1990 and has been directing it since that time. The volunteer-pet teams visit nearly 2,000 residents or patients who are elderly and/or infirm. There is great joy and satisfaction in seeing the reaction of these socially isolated people to the pets. More than 1,100 volunteer-pet teams have been involved since 1990. There is a 5-step evaluation process and background checks are required.

Other Things We Do

We have four volunteer meetings a year, at which we have either a film or talk on dealing with the elderly, pet health and care, or pet training. Each fall we have a great potluck supper-awards program, followed by a pet style show and trick exhibit. There is a well written quarterly newsletter.

Neal has prepared a 254-page work book, "A Pet-Visitation Therapy Program, Starting One and Keeping it Going." The last reprinting was December 2006. Write him at petsonwheels@aol.com if you're interested in this rewarding service, or want to start up a program in your own community. Also, see www.petsonwheelsscottsdale.com for lots of information on the workbook and other aspects of a therapy program.

As of March 1,2007, over 425,000 times a Pets on Wheels volunteer has walked up to a resident or patient and said, "Hi! Would you like to see my dog?" If you live in the Scottsdale area and want to learn more about becoming a volunteer, leave your name and phone number at our voice mail (602)735-6886. Someone will get back to you and you and your pet will be off and running. Also, check out our full size web site at www.petsonwheelsscottsdale.com .

There's nothing like the smile on a nursing home resident's face when she sees a dog coming down the hall. It's talk, pet, hug, kiss, whatever!
The blood pressure goes down, the stressed are calmed and the depressed come alive. We've heard some, who hadn't talked for weeks or more, start chattering to a dog. One boy began coming out of a coma, at the bark of a dog. Another, who had tragically lost her eyesight, came out of her room for the first time to hug and talk to a dog. The power of animals is marvelous. Try it!





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