Healing, Connection, and Confidence for Every Child 

At TheraPets.org, we provide occupational therapy for special needs students by combining professional therapy techniques with the gentle support of certified therapy dogs. Many of our students are in self-contained classrooms with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). For them, traditional school therapies can feel intimidating or limited, but occupational therapy with animals creates an environment full of trust, joy, and connection.Every session is more than therapy, it’s a chance for children to give and receive affection, practice social and motor skills, and feel seen and valued. Your support helps keep these sessions alive, allowingour students to grow, learn, and thrive with the unique support of an experienced occupational therapist and certified therapy dogs.

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The Power of Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy

Research shows that animal-assisted occupational therapy provides measurable benefits for children with special needs.At TheraPets.org, our students experience: 

  • Less Anxiety & Stress

    Placing therapy animals like Maggie May in classrooms helps children regulate emotions and feel safe.

  • Improved Social Skills

    Visiting with Gibson encourages connection, communication, and confidence.

  • Reduced Agitation & Aggression

    Delbert provides a calming non-judgmental presence fostering a sense security.

  • Enhanced Motor Skills

    Motor activities with therapy dogs such as Gibson improve coordination and movement.

  • Lower Tactile Sensitivity

    Riley helps children become more comfortable with touch.

  • Rebuilding Trust After Trauma

    Maggie May supports emotional healing and resilience.

  • Better Focus & Attention

    Layla supports cognitive development and learning outcomes. 

Through occupational therapy and animal-assisted therapy, children gain more than skill, they gain confidence, independence, and moments of joy that change lives
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How We Make Every Session Count

At TheraPets.org, our licensed therapists combine occupational therapy for special needs students with carefully designed animal-assisted activities that benefits  each child.

  • Tailored Therapy Plans

    Therapets.org consults with classroom teachers to ensure that each child participates to the best of their abilities. Each session combines current occupational therapy techniques with certified therapy dogs like Delbert to maximize student engagement.

  • Skill Development Through Interaction

    Riley and our other therapy dogs help children practice fine and gross motor skills, improve hand-eye coordination, and address sensory processing challenges in a safe, enjoyable way.

  • Emotional & Social Growth

    Animal-assisted occupational therapy with Delbert encourages peer communication, emotional regulation, social interaction, and trust-building, especially for non-verbal students or those who have experienced trauma.

  • Safe & Compassionate Environment

    Riley and ALL therapy animals in classrooms are professionally trained and supervised, ensuring a safe and positive experience.

  • Evidence Based Approach

    Our sessions are grounded in research on occupational therapy AAT benefits, demonstrating improvements in focus, attention, tactile tolerance, and emotional resilience.

  • Building Emotional Connections

    Beyond therapy, children form meaningful bonds with Layla and our other therapy dogs, fostering empathy, confidence, and motivation to participate in cooperative learning. 
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Our Gallery

Paws That Warm Hearts

Spreading comfort, love, and healing through therapy dogs for special needs students.

Comfort Through Companionship

Healing With Paws

Joyful Connections

Supportive Smiles

Paws of Hope

Healing Hearts

Shop Mission Driven Merchandise to Make a Difference

You can support therapy dogs for special needs students simply by exploring our collections. Every purchase of a Gibson’s Funk Wear T-shirt or hoodie goes directly toward continuing life-changing therapy sessions for students, veterinary care, training and supplies for our therapy dogs. All apparel has the popular “Dogs Make Life Better” back print unless otherwise noted. 

  • Therapy Sessions for Children in Need 

    Every session with Maggie combines occupational therapy and animal-assisted therapy, giving students access to   therapeutic  interventions that promote confidence, focus, and social-emotional growth. 

  • Veterinary Support for Therapy Dogs

    Our dogs like Gibson are carefully trained and cared for to ensure they provide safe, effective, and compassionate support in every classroom.

  • Supplies and Resources

    From therapy tools to sensory materials, your contributions allow our licensed therapists to deliver high-quality occupational therapy with certified therapy dogs like Delbert year-round

  • Expanding Reach

    Support enables TheraPets.org to bring therapy dogs like Layla to more schools, classrooms, and students who can benefit from this transformative AAT program.
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Gibson’s Funk Wear T’s

Explore our most-loved products, carefully selected for their quality, popularity, and exceptional benefits for everyone.

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Best Therapists Have Paws T’s

Explore our most-loved products, carefully selected for their quality, popularity, and exceptional benefits for everyone.

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Hoodies

Discover Gibson's Funk Wear Hoodies, designed for ultimate comfort, vibrant style, and effortless everyday casual fashion statement.

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Closeouts - 20% OFF

Explore our exclusive collection of discontinued T-shirts and hoodies, available for a limited time before they’re gone forever.

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Testimonial

Everyone loves when Gibson visits! He is so sweet. 

JH

School Psychologist (Elem/MS)

Thx for your support and dedication. Our students love the dogs! 

CS

Teacher (Elem)

Thank you so much for visiting with our students this year! 

KF

Teacher (HS)

The kids are so much more cooperative and social during the dog sessions! 

RC

Teacher (HS)

C****** now writes all his papers about the dogs. He seems so much more motivated! 

JJ

Teacher (Elem)

Thx for sharing your therapy dogs with us. The kids are so excited for the visits. 

AP

Teacher (MS)

TY for making our Fridays wonderful. The dogs are so loving! 

RJ

Teacher (Elem)

We love having you and the pups. It really calms the students. TY. 

DW

Teacher (Elem)

Frequently Asked Questions 

How are therapy dogs selected?

All therapy dogs undergo extensive training and temperament assessments before they are tested/certified to ensure they are calm, gentle, and responsive. Only dogs who demonstrate patience and empathy work with children in occupational therapy with dogs sessions.

Can therapy dogs help children with specific challenges like autism or sensory processing issues?

Yes. Research and our experience show that therapy animals in classrooms can help children with autism, sensory processing difficulties, and other developmental challenges by providing comfort, motivation, and consistent positive reinforcement.

Who conducts the therapy sessions?

Licensed occupational therapists lead every session, integrating animal-assisted occupational therapy techniques tailored to each child’s needs and abilities.

How long does a typical therapy session last?

Most individual 1:1 sessions usually last 15 minutes. Group sessions can range from 20-50 minutes. Each session is designed to maximize engagement and therapeutic benefit.

Can teachers or staff observe the therapy sessions?

Yes, teachers and educational staff are generally present during treatment sessions. Teachers provide vital input on students’ current educational and emotional challenges.

Are therapy dogs suitable for all age groups?

Yes, therapy dogs work with a variety of age groups, from young children through geriatrics. Therapy dog interactions help to provide comfort, motivation, and encouragement.

How can schools or organizations partner with TheraPets.org?

Schools and educational organizations can reach out to explore program partnerships. TheraPets.org offers guidance on implementing occupational therapy animal-assisted therapy programs that complement existing educational goals.

Do therapy dogs only work one-on-one with students?

No. While some sessions are one-on-one, therapy dogs can also participate in small groups or classroom-wide activities, helping foster social interaction and teamwork among students.