Pet Therapy 

This award-winning literacy program provides children with the opportunity to read to a trained therapy dog. Not only has this program proven to improve reading comprehension and language fluency, but also self-esteem! This weekly HSTC program is currently available through the Martin County School system, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and select branches of the Martin County Library system. Children can participate in Paws to Read by attending the Boys & Girls Club of Martin County, or by registering with the Blake Library.

Pawsitive Interaction is a therapeutic approach targeted towards children with special needs. The interaction with these therapy dogs enhance the child’s socialization, fine motor skills, balance, and coordination. Pawsitive Interaction is a weekly program currently offered through the Martin County School system and organizations that serve children with special needs.

This pet therapy program provides therapy to people with psychological and cognitive disabilities. The presence of pets has proven to facilitate an individual’s progress towards their own therapeutic goals, leaving them feeling calmer and more resilient.

One of our biggest pet therapy programs offered by the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Paws to Love brings our pet therapy teams to senior centers, nursing homes, and hospitals, bringing “wet noses and big smiles, all around”. This therapeutic approach keeps spirits, resiliency, hope, and overall happiness and socialization high for our community’s sick and aging.

Watch this video, featured on TCPalm.com in August 2017, which showcases Paws to Love in action. Watch This Video

This is one of HSTC’s newest pet therapy services, in which our therapy teams visit the Martin County Courthouse in instances of dependency cases for minors. These unique legal cases often cause negative feelings, such as sadness, loneliness, and confusion for the youth affected, so Paws to Empower has been a great source of comfort and companionship to those involved.