Home »
Essex
Morris
Passaic
Somerset
Bergen
Middlesex
Sussex
Union
Warren
Our Services
All Creature Comfort Pet Therapy visits are Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA), which is an interactive practice delivered by prepared volunteers in various settings using animals evaluated by Creature Comfort’s professional staff. These visits provide motivational, educational, or health benefits to enhance people’s quality of life. Pet therapy is focused on improving mood, reducing stress, enhancing self-esteem, and increasing a sense of well-being.
Please note: Visits are held at designated facilities, not at private homes.
All visits are managed by the staff of CCPT according to the specific needs noted on the visit request forms.
Fees for visits cover the cost of programming and insurance.
Request Therapy Visits
Recurring Visits
Regularly scheduled visits occurring on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis by certified volunteer handlers and their pets for a targeted number of people at a facility. The duration of each visit is approximately one hour with the volunteer therapy teams spending as much time as needed with each person within the hour timeframe.
2 weeks notice is required for all requests
One-Time Visit
Singular visit to a targeted number of people at a facility. The duration of each visit is approximately one hour with the volunteer therapy teams spending as much time as needed with each person within the hour timeframe.
2 weeks notice is required for all requests
Emergency Response
A unique program in which our therapy teams mobilize and respond to an emergency situation where therapy pets could provide comfort. With 24 hours notice (or more), our volunteers will be on hand with their calm, loving pets to help reduce stress in a crisis situation.
At least 24 hours notice is required for all requests
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA)?
What is Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)?
What is the Read to a Dog Program?
What do CCPT teams do when visiting schools for special needs?
What is the Emergency Response program?
Do you do visits at private homes?
Benefits of Pet Therapy
Interaction with a gentle, friendly animal has been shown to have significant benefits
Physical Health
-
Lowers blood pressure
-
Improves cardiovascular health
-
Releases endorphins that have a calming effect
-
Diminishes overall physical pain
-
Act of petting produces an automatic relaxation response
Reading Programs for Children
-
Helps children focus better
-
Improves literacy skills
-
Provides non-stressful, non-judgmental environment
-
Increases self-confidence
Mental Health
-
Lifts spirits and lessens depression
-
Decreases feelings of isolation
-
Encourages communication
-
Provides comfort
-
Increases socialization
-
Reduces boredom
-
Lowers anxiety
-
Helps children overcome speech and emotional disorders
-
Creates motivation to recover faster
Physical or Occupational Therapy
-
Increases joint movement and improves recovery time
-
Maintains or increases motor skills
-
Provides motivation to move more, stretch farther, exercise longer
The Power of
our Work
Having Pet Therapy has undeniably added so much joy to our cancer centers. I was so fortunate to have Pet Therapy in our resource center for the afternoon. The room quickly transformed into “the Hub” where everyone gathered. We had all four dogs coming in and out: Daisy, Coby, Oreo, and Bruno. Families, children, doctors and health staff were connecting with the dogs and each other. The room filled with laughter and excitement, and of course the ooos and ahhhs over these amazing dogs and their ability to connect everyone. There is no substitute for the comfort and familiarity that people feel when connecting with a pet. This is a gift to our patients, so they may have a little piece of home or just that comforting feeling of a furry friend.
~ Summit Health Hospital Worker