Ambassadors of Love Pet Therapy Program
The Coulee Region Humane Society’s Pet Therapy Program, Ambassadors of Love, is a volunteer-based, animal-assisted program that consists of family-owned pets and their owners who go into the community to comfort those in need.
Ambassadors of Love began in 1985 with a very special stray dog brought to CRHS named Dr. Fred. His sweet and gentle disposition inspired one very wonderful and dedicated volunteer. Today, with more than 90 Pet Therapy Teams, our visits touch the lives of nearly 60,000 Coulee Region residents every year!
Ambassadors of Love Mission Statement
Love indiscriminately
Give a nudge and a comforting paw
Break through the loneliness
Be a companion on the road to recovery
Teach humanity
Bring peace
Let miracles of love and trust unfold
Watch: Ambassadors of Love: Wagging Tails, Healing Hearts!
A documentary film from students at UWL.
What is Pet Therapy?
Pet Therapy (also known as Animal Assisted Therapy) uses trained animals to enhance a person's physical, emotional, and social well-being. The gentle, non-judgmental presence of a therapy animal boosts self-esteem, reduces anxiety, and facilitates healing.
Our Ambassadors of Love Pet Therapy animals are not service animals. Rather, they are trained and certified pets that are invited into public and private places to provide comfort, relaxation, and enjoyment to others.
To learn more about the difference between pet therapy animals and service animals, including emotional support animals, click here.
Where will you find our Pet Therapy teams?
Our Pet Therapy teams love supporting our community and representing the Coulee Region Humane Society throughout the community at nursing homes, memory care facilities, mental health crisis centers, substance abuse and recovery sites, Juvenile Detention Centers, group homes, alternative schools, public and private schools, libraries, and more.
Teams also make regular appearances via children's programs, our very own Read to Rover program and other educational programs. Our Pet Therapy Program is also very involved in our local hospitals. Our special hospital teams bring unconditional love and comfort to so many patients and their families.
become a Pet Therapy Volunteer
Our program welcomes all kinds of animals as long as they are appropriate for therapy work. We expect the therapy animals in our program to be polite and have good manners, but the outstanding quality of a therapy animal is that he or she genuinely enjoys meeting new people and actively seeks out their affection. If you think that you and your animal could be a great addition to our group, or you have specific questions about our program requirements, please contact our Pet Therapy Coordinator Erin Olson for more information by calling 608-781-4014 or emailing her at Erin.Olson@couleehumane.com.
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• Must be at least one year of age or older.
• Must be spayed or neutered.
• Successful completion of the CRHS Canine Good Citizen training and test (cost is $95.00) or be registered with a National Pet Therapy Organization within one year of applying to Ambassadors of Love.
• If you have or are planning on getting Canine Good Citizen (CGC) training through another organization, you must complete and pass the CGC Plus assessment given by our shelter trainer. Cost for this assessment is $25.00.
• Current Rabies vaccination.
• Current Distemper vaccination.
• Current dog license (if required).
• Annual fecal examination.
• Yearly wellness exams.
• Completed online Pet Therapy Dog Volunteer Application.
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• Must be at least one year of age or older.
• Must be spayed or neutered.
• Current Rabies vaccination.
• Current Distemper vaccination.
• Current cat license (if required).
• Annual fecal examination.
• Yearly wellness exams.
• Completed online Pet Therapy Dog Volunteer Application.
Please Note - Ambassadors of Love is not able to have service dogs become Pet Therapy Dogs within our program. People with disabilities however can be tested with another dog that is not a service dog. The service dog and potential pet therapy dog must go through the testing procedures at the same time.
Ambassadors of Love Crisis Response Teams
In addition to our regular Pet Therapy Teams we also have Crisis Response Teams. Our specially trained Crisis Response Teams provide calming support to individuals after a death, tragedy, or trauma and they can be dispatched at a moment’s notice to any Coulee Region school or community agency.
Our Read To Rover Program
The Read to Rover Program was designed to support a positive and safe learning environment for young readers. Over the years it has become a tool for many of our area schools and libraries to encourage a love of books, words and literacy.
Service, Therapy, & emotional support animals
What is the difference between a service, emotional support, & pet therapy animal?
Pet therapy is a broad term that includes animal-assisted therapy and other animal-assisted activities.
Animal-Assisted Therapy - A growing field that uses trained dogs or other animals accompanied by their owner or a volunteer to help people recover from or better cope with health problems, such as heart disease, cancer and mental health disorders.
Animal-Assisted Activities - Have a more general purpose, such as providing comfort and enjoyment for those who can benefit from those interactions.
The Coulee Region Humane Society Ambassadors of Love is a volunteer-based, animal-assisted program that consists of family-owned pets and their owners who go into the community to comfort those in need. All of the humane society's Pet Therapy teams have gone through and passed specific training and behavioral evaluations. Pet therapy teams are invited to go to hospitals, schools, nursing homes, community events and many other locations because of their experience and certifications.
Coulee Region Humane Society DOES NOT train nor provide emotional support or service animals. Because we do not train service dogs, and every organization is different, please contact an organization that trains service animals for more information regarding service pets.
What if I qualify for a Service or Emotional Support animal?
Coulee Region Humane Society recognizes the companionship and comfort an animal can give. We are happy to work with you through our normal adoption process and procedure if you are looking to get an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). However, we are unable to provide any sort of paperwork/certifications. Emotional support animals require documentation from a licensed mental health professional or medical doctor stating your need for an ESA.
