Throughout its 135 year history, Lollypop Farm has acknowledged the importance of the bond between humans and animals.  Acknowledging such beneficial relationships, our Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) program has served the Greater Rochester community for over 20 years.  The program has grown steadily and PAT is now visiting over 6,000 residents of nursing homes, hospitals, children’s centers and mental health facilities every year.  The therapeutic value of PAT is well-documented, but Lollypop Farm's mission is simply to bring joy and pleasure to residents and clients. Read on for more information on the PAT program and volunteering. 

Animal Assisted Therapy to Senior Living Facilities

• We have over 75 active, hardworking and dedicated volunteers who sustain our program.
• Volunteers include all domestic animals, their human partners as well as individuals without pets. 
• We currently conduct visits Monday through Friday.
• We conduct visits in large groups as well as individual room-to-room visits. 

Animal Assisted Therapy to Individuals with Disabilities

• Lollypop Farm has received a grant from the Golisano Foundation to expand our program to visit facilities assisting  individuals with disabilities.
• We will be recruiting 72 new volunteer teams (handler and animal) through 2010. 
• We will be visiting 11 new agencies at least one time per month.
• We will be conducting recreational visits as well as working with rehabilitation therapists and occupational therapists on specific treatment plans for clients. 
• We will eventually be going on visits 7 days per week. 

Reading Education Assistance Dogs Program (R.E.A.D.)

• Lollypop Farm's PAT program is also expanding to include an innovative way to improve reading skills in elementary students in our community!
• Each child that participates will have the opportunity to read out loud to a therapy dog in a non-judgmental and safe environment.  This program has had much success in other cities across the country and teachers have not only seen improvement in reading skills but also: 
• improved self confidence
• a sense of pride in accomplishments
• involvement in other school activities, and 
• interactions with animals that became gentler and more respectful. 
• The program will most likely be taking place in After-School Programs in the City of Rochester.
• We will be recruiting volunteers throughout 2008 

For more information about Pet Assisted Therapy check out the Frequently Asked Question section or contact Joette Hartman.  PAT Coordinator at (585) 223-1330 x 243 or pat@lollypop.org.

Related Documents
Volunteer - Pet Therapy Application (pdf - 39 Kbytes)
Dog Obedience - Canine Good Citizen Test (pdf - 24 Kbytes)