Partner Spotlight: Beesley’s Paw Prints Pet Therapy Program - Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida

The Beesley’s Paw Prints Pet Therapy Program at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida is a well-established initiative bringing trained therapy dog teams into a wide range of community and clinical environments.

Program Overview

The Beesley’s Paw Prints Pet Therapy Program is a collaborative effort with the United Way and is funded by Carol Beesley. The program currently includes 99 therapy dog teams and offers approximately 80 active volunteer opportunities.

All therapy dogs in the program are registered with national organizations, helping ensure consistency, reliability, and appropriate training standards across all participating teams.

Where Therapy Dog Teams Serve

The program reaches a wide range of environments where trained therapy dogs can provide support and comfort, including:

• Schools and libraries
• Court-related settings, including adoptions and trials
• Senior communities and rehabilitation centers
• Mental health facilities and hospitals
• VA clinics and veteran-focused services
• Community events and outreach programs
• Partner organizations such as the Children’s Network, DCF, and Guardian ad Litem

Supporting Clients in Sensitive Settings

Therapy dog teams also play a role within the Children’s Advocacy Center itself, sitting with clients during therapy sessions to help create a more supportive and calming environment.

In court-related situations, these teams may also provide quiet support when children are required to participate in sensitive proceedings, helping reduce stress in challenging moments.

Volunteer Appreciation and Team Recognition

The program also recognizes the importance of its volunteers and therapy dog teams through appreciation events and ongoing support. These moments highlight the dedication of handlers and the role their dogs play in serving the community.

Events like these reflect the strong sense of community behind the program and the continued commitment of its volunteers.

A Structured, Community-Focused Program

With nearly 100 active teams and a wide range of volunteer opportunities, the Beesley’s Paw Prints Pet Therapy Program demonstrates how therapy dogs can be integrated into real-world environments in a structured and responsible way.

The consistency of training, combined with the scale of outreach, allows the program to support individuals across multiple settings while maintaining a high level of professionalism.

Recognizing the Impact of Therapy Dog Programs

Programs like this highlight the important role therapy dogs can play in supporting individuals across communities, from educational settings to clinical and court-related environments.

The work being done through the Beesley’s Paw Prints Pet Therapy Program reflects a strong commitment to service, consistency, and community support.