Shelter Pet Outreach Team (SPOT) Program

North Shore Animal League America's Shelter Pet Outreach Team (SPOT)* program brings hope and love back into the lives of people who are alone, ill or live in specialized care facilities.

* The SPOT program is not traditional pet therapy since it is not directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise as an integral part of the treatment process.

Each week our Pet Outreach volunteers and associates bring puppies and certified therapy cats to visit nursing homes, senior citizen centers, and rehabilitation centers. These types of animal-assisted activities have been widely recognized to have therapeutic effects such as reducing stress and calming anxiety. These lovable animals put smiles on the faces of residents, and for those who are no longer able to care for a pet, they can help recall happy memories of pets from their past.

Benefits for Seniors

Recent studies have shown that animal-assisted therapy sessions not only improved patients' moods, but also motivated them to recuperate from illness faster, helped them to become more physically and emotionally relaxed, and reduced loneliness significantly. A study done in New York, Missouri and Texas nursing homes showed patients' medication costs dropped an average of 69% when pets were allowed to visit.

Other benefits include helping seniors to:

• focus outside of themselves
• develop a sense of rapport with another living creature
• experience non-threatening physical contact
• socialize more
• stimulate their mental faculties

Benefits for Children

Animal-assisted activities are not just for seniors. The League visits Special Education schools in the tri-state area and works with children who are non-verbal, emotionally disturbed, and autistic. The children look forward to weekly visits from the therapy animals and are taught the basics of pet care and safety while interacting with them. They also learn how to give and receive love from a pet.

Children who are emotionally and medically fragile will sometimes completely relax when they are allowed to pet the animals, boosting not only the mood, but also their overall sense of self-esteem. After a recent visit to P.S. 177Q, a Special Education School in Fresh Meadows, Queens, one small girl who had never spoken before was heard to suddenly whisper "dog."

Other benefits include helping children to:

• develop a sense of empathy
• learn nurturing skills
• experience a rapport or connection with another living creature
• enjoy physical contact

Unique Cat Therapy Component

North Shore Animal League America is the first group in the country to offer a certified therapy cat visitation program called Purrr-fect Company.

There are currently 206 Delta Society Certified cat Pet Partners in the country (as opposed to 8,578 dog Pet Partners) and 20 of them call the League's Cat Sanctuary home. These felines have visited patients in hospice care, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes to provide animal assisted meet-and-greet activities. The general disposition of cats is best suited to more low-key environments and one-on-one interaction. The response from participants has been very positive. Find Out More about Purrrrfect Company

Support Our SPOT Program

When you see the smile that the touch of a cat or dog can bring to the face of a hospitalized individual or child struggling with learning disabilities, you can't deny the healing power of pets. You can help brighten the days of thousands of seniors and children with special needs by supporting the League's SPOT program.

Support our SPOT Program

Want to get involved? Become a SPOT Volunteer

Contact Lauraine M. for more information on our SPOT Program at laurainem@nsalamerica.org.