logo-0002.png
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Career
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Leadership
    • No Kill
    • Wagging Tales
    • HSTC in The News
  • ADOPT
    • Pet Search
    • Pets of the Month
    • Home To Home Adoptions
    • Dolly's Dream
    • Pets for Patriots
    • Working Cats
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Public Spay & Neuter
    • Resources
    • Services for Pet Owners
    • Thrift Stores
    • Community TNVR
    • Humane Education
    • Animal Enrichment
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Events
    • Foster
    • Volunteer
    • Advertise Your Brand
    • Fundraising & Marketing Ambassador Program
  • Training
    • Obedience Training
    • Pet Therapy
    • Pawsitive Manners Club
  • GIVE
    • Make a Donation
    • Monthly Sustainer
    • Corporate Giving
    • Wishlist
    • Emergency Medical Fund
    • Purchase a Paver
  • RESOURCES
    • Kitten Season
    • Pet Surrender
    • Lost and Found Pets
    • End of Life Services
 

Donate

therapy12.jpg

Pet Therapy 


Animal-assisted therapy, generally called pet therapy, is a type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment. The goal of our pet therapy program at HSTC is to improve a patient's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. We provide specific pet therapy programs to target the elderly, the sick and injured, special needs children, and more. Please direct all inquiries regarding Pet Therapy at HSTC to Laura Faber at LFaber@hstc1.org.

Paws to Read

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

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.

Pawsitive Healing

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.

Paws to Love

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

Paws to Empower

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.

Pet Therapy Certification

Misty's Pals volunteers are required to attend and pass a Basic Obedience class and then attend a Pet Therapy Class.  The Pet Therapy Class prepares you and your dog to be evaluated for a national therapy dog organization.  This is to ensure that all volunteer and dogs are properly trained in this volunteer field.  Click here to learn more about the HSTC's pet therapy class in our course catalogue, and sign up today!

Happy holidays from our community partners to our Misty's Pals team!
Watch this short video to see a snapshot of how Misty’s Pals impacts our community through a variety of HSTC pet therapy programs.
Playback is currently unsupported in Your browser. Try to update to latest version.
What We Do
  • What We Do
  • Pet Adoptions
    • Dolly’s Dream Adoption
    • Pets for Patriots
  • Thrift Stores
  • Services for Pet Owners
    • Public Spay & Neuter
    • County Pet Licensing
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Community TNVR
  • Humane Education
  • Pet Therapy
  • Pet Behavior & Obedience Training
  • Dog Agility

Untitled_design_(12)-0002.png

 

11.png

59-0774235.png
 
 
Contact Us

Humane Society of the Treasure Coast
4100 SW Leighton Farm Ave
Palm City, Florida 34990
Main Line: (772) 223-8822
Fax: (772) 220-3610
admin@hstc1.org

Journalism inquiries only:       Contact Doreen Poreba at prczar@prczar.com

Registered 501(c)3 Non-Profit
Tax ID #:  59-0774235

 

best-friends-logo-0001.png

Thrift Stores

Central Thrift Store:
3302 SE Federal Hwy., Stuart, FL 34997
(772) 286-6909

North Thrift Store:
1099 NW 21st St., Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 232-4887

Contributions:
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll free (800) 435-7352 within the state or by visiting FDACS.gov. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state. Registration #CH1552.

 E-Newsletter Sign Up

Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter, special invitations to events, animal stories and more!

subscribe.png

Website by Morweb.org | Privacy Policy

© 2025 Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Tax ID #: 59-0774235