Make a Difference with Pets Helping People

Where compassionate dogs meet people who need them most.
Pet Therapy - Serving Southeast Wisconsin

Healing hearts one wag at a time.

Serving our community since 1998.

We train dedicated dog owners and their big-hearted dogs to bring joy, comfort, and connection into hospitals, schools, and care facilities across our community.

PHP Training Philosophy

PHP offers a comprehensive vetting and training program for handlers and their pets. Safety is a priority for us. We train handlers to be advocates for their dogs to create and support the safest and most loving environment for all. Our unique training partnership with Congregational Home (CH) provides handler/pet teams with hands-on training in an authentic setting while enriching the lives of CH residents through meaningful interactions. We believe and encourage positive reinforcement training, supporting a healthy, friendly and fun environment for all to learn and grow in. PHP is an AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized therapy dog training organization. Our fear free certified lead trainers have the ability to provide CGC (Canine Good Citizen) designation as part of our therapy dog training/certification. 

What We Do

How we spread the love

Training and Testing

Unmatched hands-on training, testing, and ongoing support for compassionate dog owners ready to practice Animal-Assisted Interventions (pet therapy).

Pet Therapy Visits

We connect certified Handler/Pet teams with hospitals, care homes, libraries, and other facilities where their presence brings the greatest comfort and joy.

Community Visits

Interactive educational presentations, comfort visits for schools, businesses, and residential facilities expanding community understanding of the profound benefits of pet therapy.

"The moment that dog walks through our doors, you can feel the entire room shift. Patients who haven't smiled in weeks light up. It's something no medication can replicate. Pets Helping People has been a gift to our facility."

Sarah M. Activities Director, Greenfield Care Center

"We invited a Pets Helping People team for a Waggin' Tails presentation and the children were mesmerized and the conversations about empathy and care that followed were extraordinary."

Thomas R. School Principal, Milwaukee Area

My dog has found her calling. Watching her connect with residents who rarely speak, it's the most meaningful thing we've ever done together."

Jennifer K. Certified Handler & Volunteer

"The training program was thorough, supportive, and gave me the confidence to make a real difference in my community."

Maria L. New Team Graduate, 2024