Joy and Companionship with Animal-Assisted Therapy

Loving Animals Providing Smiles (LAPS) is an all-volunteer organization that trains and certifies therapy animals and their handlers.

Bringing acceptance, laughter and love into the lives of others.

LAPS therapy animals with their handlers.

Smiles | Acceptance | Laughter | Love

paw icon

LAPS is Here to Help

LAPS helps create the human-animal bond to achieve meaningful and lasting impact.

  • Social Isolation

    Our therapy teams combat loneliness with companionship and support.

  • Training and Certification

    LAPS provides specialized training, mentors, and certification for our volunteer therapy teams.

  • Mental Health

    Animal Assisted therapy interactions reduce stress.

  • Visits and Activities

    LAPS visits facilities and offers activities like reading sessions, petting, and playtime.

  • Physical Health

    Our visits improve health by encouraging activity, interaction, and well-being.

  • Community Engagement

    LAPS promotes animal-assisted therapy through community events and partnerships.

  • Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)

    LAPS uses AAT to bring joy and comfort through the love of trained animals and their handlers.

  • Commitment to Research

    LAPS updates our programs and training to reflect the latest AAT research.

Woman holding cute white dog outside
Woman holding cute white dog outside

Dogs | Cats | Horses

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Team - Member - Associate
Downloads

What makes LAPS different from most animal-assisted therapy groups is our belief that a variety of animals can be beneficial to clients.

  1. Canine Teams

    Teacher and student with a dog in classroom
    Teacher and student with a dog in classroom

    Canine Team Application

    Team

    Download PDF

    Associate Member Application

    Member

    Download PDF

  2. Non-Canine Teams

    Two people smiling with a white cat
    Two people smiling with a white cat

    Non-Canine Team Application

    Team

    Download PDF

  3. Mini Hooves Teams

    Senior woman petting small horse indoors
    Senior woman petting small horse indoors

    Mini Hooves Team Application

    Team

    Download PDF

    Mini Hooves Associate Application

    Member

    Download PDF