2025 New program partners
Ida Crown Jewish Academy
At this program, volunteers visit with students at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Skokie. This partnership plays a valuable role in supporting students’ mental health by creating a calming environment that encourages openness, reduces stress, and helps normalize conversations about emotional well-being.
JCFS Knapp School and Yeshiva
Therapy dogs visit with students in 2nd-5th grade at a weekly group at Knapp School, a therapeutic day school in Chicago. This group is co-led by a social worker, speech therapist, and two special education teachers and focuses on Social-Emotional Learning, including developing skills such as identifying and expressing emotions, as well as developing positive coping strategies to manage school and life stressors. The group also focuses on social dynamics, including practicing appropriate peer interactions, discussing qualities of friendship, and sharing with others. The presence of a therapy dog provides comfort to the students that attend this group.
nettlehorst fine and performing arts school
At Nettelhorst, the therapy dogs from Canine Corps play a meaningful role in supporting students’ emotional well-being. Their visits bring joy, connection, and a sense of safety, giving students a gentle break from the demands of academics. By simply being present, the therapy dogs help students reset, refocus, and return to learning with a renewed sense of ease and confidence. (Logo attached)
Office of Emergency Management and Communications
Canine Therapy Corps volunteers work with the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications to offer stress relief and a sense of comfort to the 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers of the city of Chicago. The presence of trained therapy dogs significantly improves the environment of the 9-1-1 call center by providing emotional support to call takers and dispatchers who often experience high-stress situations. During short breaks, the 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers can interact with therapy dogs, helping to reduce anxiety, lower stress levels, boost mental clarity and focus, and improve overall morale.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities provides housing, support and community so families with sick children can stay together. Our therapy dog teams offer emotional comfort, reducing stress, and bringing moments of joy and normalcy to families during challenging times.
RUSH Children's Hospital
Volunteer teams facilitate pet therapy visits for inpatients and outpatients in various pediatric spaces at our hospital. Participating in a visit with a dog (coming to their hospital room!) brings some fun to the hospital setting, and promotes many positive outcomes for kids and families-including fostering relaxation, creating a more positive mood or affect, and even increasing engagement in their hospital experience.
Schwab Rehabilitation
Schwab Rehabilitation (Sinai Health System) provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for adults and children. This physical rehabilitation program will be for inpatient adults and volunteers work one on one with participants and their physical therapist to help support and achieve their therapeutic goals.
IN THIS ISSUE
100 Therapy Dogs
From The Executive Director
Gala Tickets Now Available
12 Dogs of Christmas
New Program Highlights
Impact Numbers
McCarthy Award for Excellence in Leadership
Steve & Polly Grubman Volunteer of the Year Award
Happy 10 Year Anniversary Rocko!
Volunteer Spotlight
Become a Corporate Partner
Announcements
Staff List
Donor List