At Compassionate Care Therapy Canines, our mission is providing comprehensive education, training and certification for both dogs and their handlers: Guiding them toward certification as Therapy Dog Teams.

Therapy dogs and comfort dogs play vital roles in enhancing emotional and physical well-being. Therapy dogs undergo specialized training to provide psychological and physiological support, engaging with individuals in various settings such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.

Our Mission

Our Vision

Research indicates that the presence of dogs can significantly benefit children with special needs. Therapy dogs, in particular, are essential in promoting the well-being of individuals across various settings, including hospitals, schools, hospice care, assisted living facilities, and libraries.

We are on a mission to certify 12 more dogs to reach our annual goal of 20. This objective is crucial to address the increasing demand for loving care companions in Humboldt County and its surrounding regions.

Your generous support enables us to offer specialized therapy training for dogs and their owners, completely free for our devoted volunteer therapy dog handlers.

Therapy Dogs utilized to allow children to read to the therapy dog

A Therapy Dog providing compassionate care and emotional comfort to a young patient fighting pediatric cancer.

Compassionate Care Therapy Canines, Inc, is a non-profit 501(3)(c) focused on addressing the needs of individuals who benefit from the therapy dog teams we train and certify. These remarkable dogs visit numerous locations, including hospitals, emergency clinics, assisted living facilities, schools, and libraries, offering compassionate care, comfort and joy to those they meet.

Therapy Canines play a vital role in enhancing various dimensions of human well-being, including physical, social, emotional, and cognitive health, whether in group settings or through one-on-one interactions.

The calming presence and loving nature of therapy dogs are invaluable in providing support to individuals facing a range of challenges.

We greatly appreciate your support for this meaningful cause.

About Us

Our Amazing All Volunteer Team

Shailes McWan Founder/CEO

Linda Carter Secretary/Recruiter

Kelly Healy Vice President

Joshua Bardez Treasure/Recruiter

Young hospitalized patient finding solace with a therapy dog.

A Therapy Dog providing compassionate care and emotional comfort to a young patient fighting pediatric cancer. The dog's presence brings a sense of peace and solace to the child during their difficult battle. This heartwarming interaction between the dog and the patient uplifts spirits and provides a source of strength and hope.

An Overview of the Role of a Therapy Dog:

• Role:

  Therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort, affection, and companionship to people in various settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and hospices.

• Not Service Dogs:

  Therapy dogs are NOT SERVICE DOGS. Therapy Dogs DO NOT have the same special access privileges as service dogs in public places.

• Interaction:

  Therapy dogs are encouraged to interact with a wide range of people and are often petted and cuddled by those they visit.

• Benefits:

  Interacting with therapy dogs can provide physical and mental health benefits, including reducing anxiety, stress, and promoting relaxation. Read More...

12 Skills Your Dog Must Master To Become A Therapy Dog (Therapy Dog and Canine Good Citizen Test)

How You Can Help?

Join us in providing heartfelt care and emotional comfort to those in greatest need through the loving presence of specialized therapy dogs.

Your generous donations allow us to provide specialized therapy training at no cost to both the dogs and their owners, benefiting our committed volunteer therapy dog handlers.