Pals on Paws Home Page

Therapy Dog International, Inc. Chapter 125

serving the Twin Cities' Northwest Suburbs

founded 1997

TDI Chapter 125

What is a therapy dog?

What are the benefits of pet therapy?

Could my dog be a therapy dog?

How can Chapter 125 Therapy Dogs help you?

Pals on Paws is a Minnesota chapter of Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI). Pals on Paws was founded in 1997 by Lori Whitwam when she and her registered therapy dog, Ripley, moved to the area and discovered there were no active chapters of TDI. Pals on Paws is now under the direction of Pat Kinch and Jaci Carufel and has a membership of approximately 40 dog/handler teams. Pals on Paws is also proud to have as members three therapy dog/Canine Good Citizen® evaluators certified by TDI and the American Kennel Club.

The goal of Pals on Paws is to train and maintain a group of handler/dog volunteer teams to visit local hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and other facilities in the northwest suburbs of the Twin Cities for the purpose of cheering patients and staff. Our teams are registered with TDI and follow their policies and procedures. Pals on Paws also strives to maintain a presence in the community by being available to do presentations and demonstrations for local organizations and schools. We participate in numerous community parades and visit local schools to demonstrate responsible dog ownership and promote therapy dog work.

Pals on Paws has a monthly meeting the fourth Sunday of each month at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Anyone interested in therapy work is welcome to attend our meetings. During the meetings we train and socialize our dogs, discuss recent visits, schedule upcoming events and discuss different aspects of handling therapy dogs.

If you would like more information regarding Pals on Paws or TDI, please contact one of our directors:

Pat Kinch
(763) 497-5809

Jaci Carufel
(763) 753-2582

Congratulations to the therapy dog team of Pat Kinch and Chopper. Chopper will be inducted into the Minnesota Animal Hall of Fame in February 2008 for his work as a certfied therapy dog with adults and children.

For specific information about TDI, you can follow this link to TDI's web site.

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