Take Your Dog To Work Day 2009
June 26, 2009

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney office L to R: Grant Thompson
with Sandy and Dixie; Cherié Orcutt , Chair TYDTWD; Sharon Pratt with Mia; Martha Barnes with Murphy; Jerry Shrout with
Washington; and Eric Johnson with Clifford.

Prize Winners at Redstone Federal Credit Union L to R: Barry Sanders, MariBeth Hill, Jackie Brown, Rebecca Silk, and Jonathan Fowler

Evans Watts Henshaw L to R: Celeste Freeman & Charlie; Russ Henshaw & Slate

Take Your Dog To Work Day (TYDTWD) had 76 humans and 23 dogs participating in this year’s event! The largest number of entries came from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney with 26 people and 10 dogs on site. Grant Thompson was presented a plaque by Chairman, Cherié Orcutt. Redstone Federal Credit Union had 7 people and photos of 8 dogs and in third place was Evans Watts Henshaw with 2 dogs on site.

“This has been the best day ever!” said Celeste Freeman of Evans Watts Henshaw winner of a gift certificate from Rosies Cantina. Her Miniature Schnauzer, Charlie, proudly announced all who came to visit their office. Slate, a Great Dane owned by Russ Henshaw, provided backup by silently watching.

Therapy Partners made a new friend in Randy Connell, HPD, also a participant in TYDTWD when he met Katie many months ago at a City Council Meeting. Katie, a Golden Retriever, was receiving a Resolution honoring her for receiving Delta Society Pet Partner Therapy Team of the Year Award. “I became a believer when Katie came to the Council Meeting. The entire room change…it calmed down. I couldn’t stand it (Katie visiting) every day because it would be too much like heaven.”

Additional companies who had employees participating with photos of dogs or dogs in residence were: Adtran; Asbury Counseling Center; Bob’s Pawn Shop; Broadway Group; Custom Chip Connections; DCMA; District Attorney’s Office; Dynetics; Fox Health Care; Huntsville Hospital; Hurricane Valley Ornamentals; Melvin, Bibb, Pinson, Segars CPA; Oak Tree Financial; and Secure Destruction Service.

If this sounds like the kind of team spirit building you’d like to be a part of call us now so we can contact you for next year’s Take Your Dog to Work Day! 256-881-5700.

3rd Annual Dog Days of Summer
August 8, 2008

Therapy Partners presents an event of Olympic proportions! Join us for great food, good drink, and an eclectic silent auction - all at one of the most beautiful gardens in downtown Huntsville.

Proceeds from this benefit will support the work of the volunteer Therapy Partners Handler/Animal Teams with the goal of expanding visits into more at-risk school classrooms, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and long term care facilities. Therapy Partners, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 1994.

Shanghai your friends and join the celebration to support Therapy Partners’ life enhancing work. Beijing there is all the fun. Can we Canton you?

Call Therapy Partners for an invitation: 256-881-5700

Take Your Dog to Work Day 2008!
June 20, 2008

The 10th Annual Pet Sitters International™ “Take Your Dog to Work Day™” was sponsored locally by Therapy Partners, Inc. ™ on Friday June 20. The purpose of this special day is to increase awareness of animals waiting in shelters for homes and to assist in the funding of all dog related charities.

Our first “Take Your Dog to Work Day” had 41 participants at 13 companies! 16 people took their dogs to work and 25 people took photos of their dogs to work. Dog biscuits were available to encourage donations to Therapy Partners.

Therapy Partners made a financial contribution to Huntsville Animal Services and the Greater Huntsville Humane Society as well as hundreds of dog biscuits to each!

Photos of participants and their dogs and winners of prizes will be online through September 30th.

Celebration Garden Party
June 8, 2008

Our first Celebration Garden party was held at the home and garden of Frances Huffman on Sunday, June 8th. Our garden will honor our animal and human companions and friends. When completed, it will offer a place of calm and solace to all who visit. There are several financial levels to honor or memorialize your animal companions or friends. Planting will begin in September this year. Please make our Celebration Garden your Garden too!

Volunteer of the Year Finalist Award
April 16, 2008

Therapy Partners received a Volunteer of the year finalist award for 2008 on April16th from The Huntsville Times and The Volunteer Center of Madison County as part of their Partners for Charity Awards and Recognition Program. 

Alabama Animal Hall of Fame winner
March 15, 2008

The Alabama Animal Hall of Fame is a committee of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association and is charged with the mission to recognize Alabama's most exceptional domestic, companion, or assistance animals.  Inductees will have displayed outstanding loyalty, courage, service, or intuitive abilities in its relations with humans. Dr. Mark Russell nominated Katie, partner of Connie Gates. Katie was inducted to the Hall of Fame on March 15th in recognition for her 10 years of service as a Therapy Dog with Therapy Partners, Inc. The festivities were held in Huntsville at The Embassy Suites.

Delta Society® Pet Partner® Team of the Year

Therapy Partner Handler Connie Gates and her Partner Katie - Delta Society® Pet Partner® Team of the Year Winner!

Katie, a 12 year old Golden Retriever and her partner Connie Gates, have volunteered with Therapy Partners for 10 years. They have worked their special kind of magic at Chi Ho Children’s Home, Harris Home for Children and for the past 5 years at HOPE Place, a shelter for abused women and their children. Katie brings comfort and normalization to what is usually a frightening time in the lives of these children. Her unconditional, non-judgmental love helps smooth the physical and psychological abuse these women have survived.

Ten-year old “Jeremy” was safer and better cared for at the Children’s home, but he was depressed and withdrawn. He reached out and gave Katie a listless pet when she sat beside him. Katie knew it wasn’t enough.