California

Temecula Valley

Love on a Leash®

The Temecula Valley chapter was founded in May, 2009. The chapter coordinates multiple group visits each month at Senior Living and Memory Care Facilities, Mental Health and Rehabilitation Facilities, Hospitals, Hospice, Schools, Libraries, and R.E.A.D. programs in Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar and the surrounding areas. Many members also visit additional sites independently; our chapter has teams doing therapy visits nearly every day! We also host periodic member socials and participate in community events; we especially love participating in Mental Health Awareness, Annual Suicide Prevention Walk, and visiting with the California Conservation Corps. Every December, as a gift to promote reading for young children, we give a free book to each child who reads to a furry friend to encourage reading over the holidays.

Meet Our Leader

Gary Farmer became chapter co-leader in September 2022. He lives in Murrieta with his wife, Lynn and is currently certified with his first therapy dog Zack, a first-generation labradoodle. Gary is a retired teacher, counselor and principal who joined Love on a Leash in 2017; when he is not volunteering with Love on a Leash, he enjoys traveling our great country in his RV. He and Zack especially love working with children in the READ program.