Facilities & Visits
Where We Go
The Benefits
Why Facilities Choose Us
Thousands of facilities across the country have partnered with Pet Partners therapy animal teams. Well-trained and thoroughly screened handlers and their animals can benefit the health and well-being of people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, retirement communities, rehabilitation centers, and many other facilities.
Nationally Recognized
Pet Partners is nationally recognized as the gold standard in animal therapy programs.
Safe & Secure
Thorough background checks are completed on handlers as a part of team registration to ensure the safety of your patients.
Continuing education
We offer comprehensive continuing education for our handlers to keep them informed and up to date.
Member Insight
We can provide mentors for Central Arkansas Pet Partners members before visiting a facility, so you are confident and have someone to walk you through a visit and introduce you to the facility staff. The Central Arkansas Pet Partners members meet every other month to share their adventures, celebrate victories with our pets and in our families, and listen to guest speakers who are always inspiring and help us serve our facilities better.
The Facilities
Where We Serve Locally
Arkansas Children's hospital
ACH started it all with their TAILS program. They knew the importance of animal assisted activities and therapy and the affects that animals have on recovery for their patients. There is nothing like seeing a child’s face light up and the noticeable difference a visit with a pet can make in recovery. Pet Partner teams have volunteer opportunities in the Radiology Clinic on Tuesdays, Playroom on Wednesdays and HemOc clinic on Thursdays. Also ACH often calls on Pet Partner teams to make private room visits to children who have requested a visit.
Arkansas Hospice
Arkansas Hospice Inc. is the state’s largest non-profit hospice organization. Centra Arkansas Pet Partners teams visit Arkansas Hospice patients, family, and staff at the Ottenheimer inpatient unit at St Vincent Infirmary and at local nursing homes. For more information about Arkansas Hospice’s pet therapy program see arkansashospice.org/volunteer/therapy-dog-program
Arkansas heart hospital
Arkansas Heart Hospital is specialty care facility dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The hospital is designed for close patient care with 16 Nursing Pods caring for only seven patients each for a total of 112 patient beds. The Animal Assisted Therapy program began, in conjunction with Pet Partners of Central Arkansas (community group of Pet Partners®), in May, 2017.
Following an orientation, teams are welcome to visit any time of day or day of the week. Procedures for visiting are covered during orientation. Staff are always accessible for assistance. Visits will be in individual patient rooms.
Bill & Hillary clinton nat'l airport
In 2018 Clinton National Airport introduced their animal assisted intervention program named Bow Wow Buddies. Central Arkansas Pet Partners teams are present as Bow Wow Buddies on the concourse and baggage areas to bring comfort to travelers. Currently over 25 teams visit the airport.
CHI st. vincent rehab hospital
Designed to return patients to leading active, independent lives, St. Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital, is a 60-bed acute rehabilitation facility that provides a higher level of comprehensive rehabilitation services.
Inspiration Day treatment
Inspiration Day Treatment, Inc., JACO accredited and affiliated with NAMI., has a full staff of experienced Mental Health Professionals to help with individual, group and family therapy for adults.
MEthodist family health group
Methodist Family Health Group offers two opportunities for pet therapy volunteers in Central Arkansas. There is the Methodist Behavioral Hospital located in Maumelle, Arkansas and the Methodist Children’s Home near downtown Little Rock. Both facilities are behavioral resident care facilities for children and youth. You and your pet partner will have the opportunity to interact with youths individually and in small groups. These facilities also offer special events such as summer camp programs with involvement by their participating pet partner teams.
Pinnacle Pointe Behavioral health
Pinnacle Pointe Behavioral HealthCare has provided mental health services to families in Arkansas and surrounding states since 1991. They specialize in programs for children ages 5-17 with individualized treatment for each child. Their mission is to provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment and believe that early intervention is key to a child’s success.
uams
UAMS is a unique environment in that you and your pet may visit with a variety of people. The SPOT (Special Pets Offering Therapy) program brings smiles to many patients and families but also to physicians, nurses and other staff member who stop by for a warm furry lift to their day. Though UAMS is a very busy hospital, everyone is excited on pet visiting days. Visitation opportunities are currently available in surgical and ICU step-down rooms on the eighth floor, and rooms in the AntePartum unit on the seventh floor.
Youth Home
Youth Home is a UNIQUE treatment facility where youth and families find hope. It serves emotionally troubled youth from every section of our state. For the past 40 years, Youth Home’s mission has remained the same, helping emotionally troubled youth and families become healthier, contributing members of their communities. Youth Home’s facility is located on 90 beautiful acres in West Little Rock. When visiting the facility, you will find the kids to be inquisitive, fun and very excited to engage with you and your dog. The staff is willing to accommodate your schedule and plan activities that best suit your needs.
EXPLORE
How We Do It
Volunteers
All of our Pet Partners teams are volunteers who want to make a difference in their community.
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Our Services
We work with hospitals, schools, and other facilities to offer a variety of programs that benefit vulnerable populations.
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Research
AAT is an evidence-based treatment for several conditions and disorders. Learn more about how AAT changes lives.
Learn More →
REQUEST A VISIT
Have Questions?
Does it cost anything to partner with CAPP?
No. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All of our programs are staffed by volunteers and supported by donations and grants.
How often are pets evaluated?
Animals are re-evaluated every two years to insure that they are still suitable for visits.
How do you keep our patients safe?
For health and safety, we enforce strict infection control protocols, including thorough grooming standards, required hand hygiene before and after any interaction, and the exclusion of raw meat diets.
Are dogs the only animals on teams?
No! We also work with cats, horses, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, mini-pigs, llamas, alpacas, and rats! You may choose which animals you would prefer to invite into your facility.
Facility Toolkit
Ready for the tail wags and pets? This toolkit will help you prepare for your visit and know what to expect.
Pet Partners at Your Facility
We partner with dozens of local organizations to help add AAT to their service offering. If you’re interested in learning more, contact us!
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