At a nursing conference at UAB this fall, a nurse sat down beside Sadie, a golden retriever Therapy Dog, and began to cry. Her own dog had recently died. Sitting with Sadie brought back memories — comforting and tender. That short visit, she told handler Mark, helped her move through her grief.
That moment happened thousands of times this year, in different forms and places, but always with the same thread: presence, comfort, and unconditional acceptance.
As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at a year defined by small, sacred moments that remind us why this work matters.
Fall brought the return of Sit, Stay, Read!, pairing students with Therapy Teams to help develop literacy skills and self-confidence. This year, HIP Teams continued to visit schools and libraries, helping young readers build confidence one page at a time.
"Watching students progress in their reading throughout the year, seeing some overcome their fear of dogs and begin to love them...it's all been such a gift," volunteer Ashley Mason told us.
In August, we launched a partnership with Baptist Health, bringing Wags for Wellness to Princeton Hospital with plans to expand to Brookwood and Shelby campuses soon. Baptist Health joins more than 100 organizations now receiving Animal-Assisted Therapy at no cost.
Wags for Wellness also continued at dozens of workplaces, like McLeod Software. "You can feel the stress melt away," said Meribeth Gilbert, VP of Human Resources. "Laughter echoes through the halls, and even the busiest teams pause to smile."
Our signature events brought the community together in unforgettable ways. In April, more than 600 runners and their dogs laced up for Mutt Strut, our '80s-themed 5K that raised over $54,000. (Yes, there were leg warmers. And yes, they were glorious.)
Then in August, Picasso Pets: Paws of Valor shattered attendance and fundraising records, welcoming over 350 guests and raising more than $370,000. The superhero-themed gala—complete with Boo Jolly, a gentle-giant Newfoundland, as our Face of Picasso—reminded us that heroism comes in all shapes, sizes, and breeds.
We also celebrated meaningful milestones: presenting the Tweety Lasker Award to the Renal Care Center at Children's of Alabama, and honoring Karen Ford with the Margaret Davis Volunteer Service Award for her exceptional dedication as a Therapy Team handler.
This year, more than 100 Therapy Teams and Visit Assistants made thousands of visits throughout Central Alabama and Tuscaloosa, creating more than 145,000 moments of connection, calm, and care.
They showed up in hospitals, schools, senior communities, courtrooms, fire stations, and crisis centers. They sat quietly while someone cried. They made someone laugh for the first time in days. They reminded people, through wagging tails and gentle nudges, that they're not alone.
As Executive Director Margaret Stinnett shared in our fall newsletter: "More than ever, I believe in our mission: to improve human health and well-being through Animal-Assisted Therapy."
As we close out 2025, we're filled with gratitude—for every volunteer who gives their time, every donor who makes this work sustainable, every Program Partner who opens their doors, and every person who believes that healing happens one wag at a time.
The need for our services continues to grow. And thanks to you, we're ready to meet it.
Here's to another year of turning pages, lifting spirits, and showing up when it matters most.
Join The Pack with a monthly gift — even $10 a month makes a huge difference. Visit handinpaw.org/thepack to become a monthly donor today. We are so thankful for a support system that believes and helps to achieve our mission of improving human health and well-being through Animal-Assisted Therapy! We know the year 2022 will be just as amazing thanks to you!
Join the Pack
Are you interested in finding out what it takes to become a volunteer Therapy Team? Click here to read this brief guide. If you don't have a pet who is ready to be a Therapy Animal, you can always train to become a Visit Assistant! Visit handinpaw.org/volunteer to get started!
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