Meet Our Therapy Animal Teams
"Heart Whispers With Comforting Nuzzles"
Learn a little more about each one of our therapy animal teams! This includes those that are licensed and serving on their own, to those that are in training and working alongside a mentor in facilities until they're licensed and able to be serving on their own.
Facts About Being an Animal Therapy Team
On average how long does it take for a team in training to complete their required training, workshops, team test/evaluation and become an actual licensed team? 1-2 years
How often do teams have to redo or add to their training and retest? Every 2 years!
Did you know that when we take our animal therapy test the handler and animal get scored separately and that combined score allows them to pass or fail their therapy test? (So the human can fail their test portion and the animal gets a good passing score on their portion of the test and the team will still fail the testing and vice versa.)
There are 2 ratings teams can receive once tested, predicable and complex.
What does the term "complex" mean? Complex is the highest rating you can pass and obtain with Pet Partners during our animal therapy team test/evaluation. This means the animal therapy team is able to handle high stress, chaotic situations and anything unexpected that comes their way, doesn't matter what the situation may be.
Meet Annie's Companions
Annie and handler Lyndi
Serving 2013-Present
Hi I'm Annie, an Australian Shepherd and I serve as a registered "complex" Pet Partners therapy dog.
Fun facts about me: I was named after best American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter legend Annie Oakley. She was born in 1860 and one of her nicknames was "Little Miss Sure Shot". A favorite treat of mine is whipped cream. I love stuffed toys and my birthday is April 25, 2013. I absolutely love people of all ages and have yet to meet someone I didn't love!
Some of the ways I try to bring cheer: snuggle my muzzle into someone who needs a little extra TLC, wiggle my rear in happiness, be goofy if someone needs a laugh, or lay on the feet of staff who have had a hard day.
Hank and handler Lyndi
Serving 2017-Present
Hi I'm Hank, an Australian Shepherd, and I serve as a registered "complex" Pet Partners therapy dog.
Fun facts about me: I was named after
Happy Hank (aka Mark Williams the Cowboy Crooner). Happy Hank was well known for his songs and radio programs for children during the WWII era. Hank was named by a very special and vital person Annie's Therapeutic Companions lost in August 2017....Lyndi Hanna's dad. My birthday is December 21, 2016. I love people, especially children. A favorite treat of mine is peanut butter treats! My favorite toy is giant tug of war ropes. My doggie sister happens to be "Lizzie" and my doggie mom is also "Annie."
Some of the ways I try to bring cheer: I consistently have a HUGE smile that I ALWAYS greet everyone with. I'm always goofy when someone needs a laugh, wag my rear in happiness, cuddle with someone who needs a little extra TLC, and give kisses when someone needs them.
Dink and handler Brenda
Serving 2022-Present
Hi I'm Dink, a Miniature Australian Shepherd, and I serve as a Pet Partners therapy dog team in training!
Fun Facts About Me: My owner (Brenda) came up with the name thinking it sounded Australian (and of course I'm a mini so I'm kind of dinky lol). I'm a rescue and I lived in a horse trailer because I was part of a horse trade. My birthday is in January of 2022. I love people and I'm super gentle with kids especially little ones. My favorite toy is my bone, I like to play fetch with it and pounce on it. I also like treats but maybe my bone more than treats.
Lizzie and handler Robin
Serving 2017-Present
Hi I'm Lizzie Rose, an Australian Shepherd, and I serve as a Pet Partners therapy dog team in training!
Fun facts about me: I was named after Elizabeth Bennett also known as "Lizzie" from Jane Austin's book Pride and Prejudice. The name "Rose" came from a name my handler is affectionately called by her mother. My birthday is December 21, 2016. I love people, especially older gentlemen, and those in wheelchairs. A favorite treat of mine is ice cream! My favorite toy is "Knots" (a stuffed bunny that has rope inside of it). My doggie mommy also happens to be "Annie."
Some of the ways I try to bring cheer: be goofy if someone needs a laugh, touch someone with my paw like a person putting a hand on someone, lean my body next to someone who needs a little extra TLC, and give kisses when someone asks for them.
Mack and handler Robin
Serving 2023-Present
Hi, I’m Mack, an Australian Shepherd, and I serve as a Pet Partners therapy dog team in training!
Fun facts about me: I actually picked my name myself. I didn’t care for my name so I wouldn’t respond to it. Finally, someone got the “hint” and started throwing names out. I liked MACK so I turned my head, tilted my head and came every time I was called. After all, I’m a red tri and Mack is a big, red truck so it fits me. I love all humans of every age. My birthday is December 24, 2022. My favorite toy is my sister “Missie” and I LOVE playing in the water. I'm a big foodie and I love ANY kind of treats! My dog grandma happens to be “Annie” and my dog mom is “Lizzie”.
Missie and handler Lyndi
Serving 2023-Present
Hi, I'm Missie, an Australian Shepherd, and I serve as a Pet Partners therapy dog team in training!
Fun facts about me: I'm named after my grandma Annie. My name was taken from Annie Oakley being known as "Little Miss Sure Shot" adding IE to Miss in honor of my grandma Annie and you get my name Missie! I love all humans of every age. My birthday is December 24th, 2022. My favorite toy is anything that squeaks loudly and my favorite treats have any kind of fruit in them. My dog grandma happens to be "Annie" and my dog mom is "Lizzie."
Quigley and handler Brenda
Serving 2024-Present
Hi, I'm Quigley, a Mini Blue Merle Australian Shepherd, and I serve as a Pet Partners therapy dog team in training!
Fun facts about me: