CAREing Paws, Inc.

About CAREing Paws 

CAREing Paws, Inc. is a local group of certified therapy animal-handler teams in Georgia that conduct visits in places such as nursing homes, hospitals, libraries and schools. We are a network of compassionate individuals who are willing to share our special animals in order to bring joy and happiness to others.

The "CARE" in CAREing Paws stands for Canines Assisting Rehabilitation and Education. CAREing Paws' mission is to focus on enriching the lives of others by embracing the power of the Human-Animal Bond! 

Courthouse Therapy Dogs - Office of the District Attorney for the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit 

On January 16, 2024, for the first time in the state of Georgia, therapy dogs were sworn in, got their badges, and are getting to work at the courthouse, comforting staff and crime victims. 

DeKalb County Probate Court Judge Bedelia C Hargrove presided over our official swearing-in ceremony. These seven teams of dogs and their humans have already made a paws-itive impact in the DA's office. We visit once a month to spend time with the staff for stress-buster events and offer much needed comfort to crime victims during interviews and trial preparations.  

We also participate in a lot of special events all throughout the year. One of our favorites is visiting Georgia Tech and other colleges to help students destress during finals week each Spring and Fall semester.

We love our community partnerships! CAREing Paws Animal-Assisted Therapy teams provide therapy services to the Pathways Center. Pathways is a behavioral healthcare organization that serves children, adolescents, and adults. They specialize in addressing various mental health and substance abuse issues. 

Many of our teams participate in Animal-Assisted Education activities as Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) Teams. These teams work with children in schools, libraries and many other settings as literacy mentors. Children improve their reading skills in a unique, fun, and safe environment. The dogs have a way of reaching children when all other more conventional methods have failed.

When a CAREing Paws dog is listening, the environment is transformed, a child's dread is replaced by eager anticipation, and learning occurs. The handler is a skilled facilitator too - shifting performance pressure off the child and providing support, while the child gets the supervised reading practice necessary to build vocabulary, increase understanding of the material, and gain fluency as a reader.     

Our vision at CAREing Paws is to be the premier animal therapy group in middle/north Georgia in the eyes of our members, clients and communities.  We will be a leader in human- animal interactions by tirelessly seeking to improve our knowledge and our service to both our members and those whom we assist.

We seek out opportunities to make a difference. We take a stand; share our enthusiasm and build momentum through human-animal interactions.