Pet Outreach Program

We make the bond between people and pets stronger.

The AMC’s Pet Outreach Program, which was established in 1983, joins isolated people and affectionate animals to improve lives. We visit nursing homes, as well as programs for people who are blind, deaf or mobility impaired. We count every smile a success.

Our coordinator screens both volunteers and their pets. Candidates are friendly, sensitive, reliable and comfortable with all kinds of people. Their pets must be healthy, well groomed, at ease outside their home environment and comfortable around other animals and people. Program members bring dogs and cats, plus the occasional rabbit, tortoise or goat. All volunteers receive training in Animal Assisted Activities and the needs of those we visit.

Some individuals respond better to animals than to doctors, therapists or even members of their own families. A nursing home resident may speak to no one; he may seem off in his own world. When a golden retriever lays her head in the older person’s lap, results can be great and lasting or small and brief. Staff at the facilities build on our visits to help those they serve. A school for blind children might use the visits to develop confidence, while a rehabilitation program might follow pet visits with an art project.

Even the staff joins in. They enjoy a break in their demanding jobs. When they see the fun pets and volunteers create, staff members also get a more hopeful view of the people they are trying to help.

Research on human-animal interaction supports what we see in the field. Scholars have shown people become more social when pets are around. Pet owners have fewer cardiovascular problems and use less health care than people without pets.

The AMC’s Pet Outreach Program fills a growing need for inexpensive ways to make a real difference. The Animal Medical Center offers these visits to the community free of charge. It pays all costs from its own funds and with grants and donations from generous supporters. To contribute, call Dr. Susan P. Cohen, (212) 329-8680 or donate online.

We're always looking for new pet volunteers! If you have a friendly, healthy pet that you would like to volunteer for this program, contact our Pet Outreach Coordinator, Phyllis Brody at (212) 838-8100, ext. 7348