What is Pet Provided Therapy?

A therapy pet's primary function is to brighten someone’s day. The majority of our members are involved in this social side of therapy work. Dogs and their owners visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools to provide emotional support. They put a smile on someone’s face, make their day a little brighter, or bring back a cherished memory.

Therapy dogs are privately owned and visit facilities on a regular basis. We do not raise and train dogs to be service or companion animals. At the end of a visit these animals go home with their owners. For the most part, our therapy pets are dogs; however, we also certify cats and rabbits who have shown that they enjoy being therapy pets.

What is The Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy?

During the early 1980’s Liz Palika, an award winning author and dog obedience instructor, began to introduce the concept of pet provided therapy to the residents of north San Diego County in California. In providing the service, she saw a need for a larger organization to accommodate the growing number of requests she received from assisted living facilities, memory-care facilities, schools and hospitals. Ms. Palika created Love on a Leash in 1984. The organization was incorporated in 1995 as The Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy (“FPPT”), a California public - benefit nonprofit organization. It is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization.

As of 2011, there are over 1,400 members in 28 throughout the United States. In many communities, volunteers have formed chapters to share common concerns and strategies.

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What is the Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy | Contact Information

North County San Diego Love on a Leash Teams

Liz Palika - Our Founder

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