As demand for therapy animals soars, nonprofits struggle to keep up with community requests
SHAKOPEE, Minn. —There's no shortage of scratches or smiles when North Star Therapy Animals are around.
Lola, Dottie, Kimber and Maggie are four of the 215 therapy teams that spend volunteer time, alongside their human counterparts, at schools, hospitals and nursing homes. The nonprofit serves the Twin Cities community and each pet is registered with Pet Partners, an internationally recognized program.
"I'm taking like, AP Stats and those classes, and they are rigorous," Shakopee High School Senior Otarhe Okoh said. "So, it's nice to take a break and chill."
Dog and human interactions have proven to lower heart rates and blood pressure, while also increase cortisol levels to the brain.
North Start Therapy Animal President Connie Priesz says between the nonprofit's 215 teams, they stay busy. Recently, it's been difficult to keep up with community demand.
"We probably get five to eight requests per week for different therapy animal requests," she said. "We just can't keep up with it. We are really looking for more therapy dogs or people looking to get their dogs registered."
There are a few requirements to register a pet as a therapy animal, like good behavior and basic obedience, but full requirements can be listed on North Star Therapy's website.
Priesz says she'd like to see state regulated minimums to register therapy animals. It's something she's pushing for at the state Capitol alongside other leaders in the organization. She says it will better support the benefits therapy animals provide.
"I just really love doing the volunteer work and seeing the joy from not only the people receiving the therapy actions, but the people doing it," Priesz said. "…You never now what memory you're leaving with someone that they have forever."
April 30 is National Therapy Animal Day. North Start Therapy Animal plans to celebration with surrounding communities to honor the day and is anticipating a proclamation from the governor.