If you’ve ever experienced the unconditional love of a pet, you’ll understand the power of animal therapy. Animals never judge. And in moments of stress and loneliness, their calming presence eases anxiety in a way human words often can’t. Clockwise from top, meet some of our region’s volunteer pet therapists.
Skeeter, a 24-year-old quarter horse, is one of 18 hippotherapy horses at Easter Seals Southwest Florida.
Golden retrievers Biscuit, 5 (at left), and Snap, 2 (at right), are uncle and nephew. Biscuit volunteers in the 12th Judicial Circuit court system, comforting abused children involved with the Child Protection Center and visits public libraries, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Tidewell Hospice. Snap is just starting his volunteerism at Sarasota Memorial Hospital…