TWU Pioneer Pet Therapy
TWU Pioneer Pet Therapy was launched in the fall of 2021 with 7 volunteer dog handler teams on the Denton campus! The purpose of the program is to enhance the emotional wellness and overall wellbeing of TWU students, faculty and staff. In order to serve as pet therapy handlers, our faculty and staff volunteers have successfully completed the Pet Partners online course and evaluation process, as well as TWU specific training.
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Fabulous Volunteers, Pawoneers!
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Sprocket Rocket taking a break
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Zoli enjoying the morning
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First Generation Pet Therapy Event and Boo
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Housing event with Scout
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Amy Allison and Giselle
Support the TWU Pet Therapy Program
We aspire to grow our program so that we can make an even more significant impact on the daily lives of students who want to engage with animal assisted therapy. The donations we have received so far have allowed us to pay the cost of handler training and registrations, purchase capes for our dogs and shirts for our handlers. The TWU Pioneer Pet Therapy Program has made incredible strides, and we hope to expand our program even further. And your donation will make the difference!
Make a DonationLearn more
To learn more about the Therapy Pups, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Handler Recruitment Sessions for Spring 2025
January 31, 2025 @ 12:00 PM January 31 Zoom Link
February 4, 2025 @ 12:00 PM February 4 Zoom Link
February 6, 2025 @ 3:00 PM February 6 Zoom Link
If you are unable to attend one of the scheduled info sessions, please contact me at healthpromotion@twu.edu and we will coordinate with you individually!
Meet the Teams! Request a Pet Therapy visit at your TWU event
Handlers Requirements
- Be an employee of TWU
- Attend an info session on TWU Pet Therapy and learn how you can make a difference for our TWU community
- Apply/Interview
- If selected, complete Pet Partners requirements, team evaluation and TWU required training
- Successfully complete TWU in-person training
Contact Amy Allison to learn more about the process.
Apply to Volunteer
Interested in Volunteering at TWU Pet Therapy Events? Current TWU Faculty, Staff and Students can volunteer at Pet Therapy Events! Volunteers will go through a training orientation to help get you familiar with how to help during events!
If you are interested in becoming a Paws-itively amazing volunteer, please fill out our Volunteer Form.
In Memory
In memory to the Pioneer pets that loved and served, and gained their wings.
Bella
Handler: Missy Bassett
Department of Student Life
Served as a Pioneer Pet for the fall semester of 2021, she was one of the first dogs to become certified on the inaugural team. Bella gained her wings in February of 2022 at 12.5 years old.
Boomer
Handler: Amber Geldersma
Department of Human Resources
Served as a Pioneer pet for the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semester, he was a member of the inaugural team. Boomer gained his wings in July of 2022 at 7 years old.
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Special thanks to Oklahoma State’s Pet Therapy Program Pete’s Pet Posse and Kathy Tomlinson for their help and support in developing TWU Pioneer Pet Therapy.
Page last updated 10:01 PM, June 22, 2025