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MISSION AND

STORY

Our Mission

To improve the health and well-being of people in need through the healing power of the human-animal bond.

Utilizing our certified handlers and their therapy dogs, we are dedicated to providing pet therapy to children and adults who have developmental, emotional, or physical challenges, as well as those in need of comfort and companionship.

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Our Vision

Canine Assisted Therapy’s vision is to be recognized as the premier pet therapy organization by maintaining the highest standards possible, educating the public about the benefits of animal assisted therapy, and providing continued support to its volunteers and the facilities they serve.

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Our Story

Canine Assisted Therapy, Inc. was founded in 2009 by Wayne and Debra Berger and Joanne Jurgle with the goal of becoming the nation’s leading pet therapy organization. Having provided animal assisted therapy in the past, Debra and Joanne soon realized there was a need to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of pet therapy services in South Florida.

Determined to set new standards and ensure the quality and safety of services in the field of animal assisted therapy, Debra and Joanne developed a highly advanced evaluation and certification process for its pet therapy volunteers. Within five years, Canine Assisted Therapy grew from a home office and two therapy teams (Debra and Dillon, her 150-pound Leonberger, and Joanne and Chance, her loving Golden Retriever) to a 2,000 square foot office with over 100 certified therapy teams providing services to more than 120 facilities, primarily in south Florida.

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Dillon

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Chance

Committed to improving the health and wellbeing of those in the community, Canine Assisted Therapy continues to challenge the status quo. Our founding dogs, Dillon and Chance, have since “Crossed the Rainbow Bridge”, but their legacy lives on through our organization.

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