Visiting Pets
This dedicated group of volunteers brings comfort and joy to area residential facilities, university dormitories and other community gathering places.
Visiting Pets bring joy & comfort
The Visiting Pets team is comprised of dedicated AWS volunteers and their own dogs that come together to provide comfort and joy to those they visit.
Some of the Visiting Pets dogs are AWS alumni and all are either registered therapy dogs or Canine Good Citizen certified dogs. They are comfortable around people and enjoy visiting and interacting with everyone they meet.
As a team, this group visits local residential settings such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, colleges and universities. You may also find them at area libraries, classrooms and festivals.
The visits help with stress relief and homesickness. Many of our students miss their pets at home when they are on campus. The visits also help foster opportunities for students to connect with one another as they visit with the dogs and their owners. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to visit our campus! We really appreciate your volunteers at AWS!
~Jill Piker, University of New England
Through our visits, we have seen first-hand the positive interaction that takes place when a visiting dog approaches a resident. Put simply, it’s almost magic. Residents light up. It may be a quick pat, a hug or a few minutes of cuddling while the resident shares stories, memories of dogs who have passed through their lives. There is always an element of joy that we all share in that moment.
~Paula, Visiting Pets Volunteer
Questions?
For more information, please contact our Community Engagement Manager via email or telephone at (207) 985-3244 ext. 121.