FORT MYERS, FL March 19, 2021 – United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee is seeking volunteers for the Beesley’s Paw Prints therapy dog program. Do you think your dog would be a great addition to our Beesley’s Paw Prints program? We need registered therapy dogs and their owners to visit United Way Partner Agencies, schools, and other organizations. Interested parties can obtain information on getting their dog registered on the United Way website: UnitedWayLee.org/beesley’s-paw-prints/.
All dogs (over one year old) are eligible to apply to become therapy dogs. Dogs and their handlers are certified by a national organization such as Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Love on a Leash, and Pet Partners; just to name a few. Therapy dogs undergo testing to assure they have good manners and react positively to strangers. For more information on creating your own Therapy Dog team, apply at UnitedWayLee.org/beesley’s-paw-prints/, contact Beesleys@UnitedWayLee.org, or call at (239) 433-7204.
Pets are proven to have therapeutic qualities such as improving mood, and reducing stress levels for children and adults. Everyone can benefit from the unconditional love and attention animals give. Interacting with animals can invoke laughter and joy in people whose lives have been affected by illness or depression. Playing with pets can also encourage adults and children to become more physically active.
Beesley’s Paw Prints is a United Way collaborative with Children’s Advocacy Center and Gulf Coast Humane Society generously supported by founder, Carol Beesley. Currently, registered therapy dogs are making visits to various United Way Partner Agencies such as Family Initiative, YMCA, Children’s Network, IMPACT for Developmental Education, and LARC.
ABOUT UNITED WAY
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies, helping them to work together focusing on issues that continue to improve lives. The United Way’s mission is “The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee is a volunteer driven organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our community. Our United Way supports and helps coordinate the human service network in our community so that the network can provide high quality social service programs that make a difference in people’s lives.”
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee was established in 1957 and over $188 million has been raised and distributed since that time. For more information, please call (239) 433-2000 or visit www.UnitedWayLee.org.
