🌍💙 Today is World Autism Acceptance Day, and we couldn't be more proud to celebrate it. Has a therapy animal touched your life or the life of someone you love? We'd love to hear your story in the comments. 👇

#WorldAutismAcceptanceDay #AnimalAssistedTherapy #WorldAutismMonth

⏳ This is your last chance to save on Mutt Strut registration!

Use code THELASTSTRUT for 10% off before April 7. 🏃‍♂️🐕

🔗 secure.qgiv.com/even...

Online registration ends April 10!

#MuttStrut2026 #HandInPaw #DogFriendly5K #AnimalAssistedTherapy

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Hand in Paw!

Today we’re celebrating the wagging tails and comforting purrs that bring connection and calm to our community every day.

That’s the real luck of the paw. 🐾💛

#HandInPaw #StPatricksDay #AnimalAssistedTherapy

The 16th Annual Mutt Strut is Saturday, April 11 at Homewood Central Park. Every registration helps our Volunteer Teams bring comfort and connection to schools, hospitals, and senior living communities — at no cost to our partners.

#MuttStrut2026 #HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #HIP30

The Healing Power of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Pediatric Oncology — HuMOLYTE Discover how therapy dogs are transforming pediatric cancer care by reducing anxiety, easing pain, and bringing comfort to children and families during treatment.

Therapy dogs in pediatric oncology units are helping children cope with pain, fear, and long hospital stays.

#PediatricOncology #AnimalAssistedTherapy #ChildhoodCancer #CancerCare #SupportiveCare

If you’ve been thinking about registering for our Dog Friendly 5K & Fun Run, keep an eye on this page Monday. A limited-time offer is coming your way. 👀

Stay tuned…

#HandInPaw #MuttStrut2026 #HIP30 #AnimalAssistedTherapy

🚧 Something BIG is coming! 🏗️ 🐾

Join Hand in Paw at McWane Science Center this Saturday, March 7, for Big Machines Day! Our Therapy Teams will be there from 10AM-4PM with all the wags!

Come say hi...belly rubs appreciated! 🐶🚜

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #BigMachinesDay

Mona and Therapy Dog Johnny recently visited the UAB School of Public Health to share the benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy.

Even brief interactions with therapy animals can lower cortisol and boost serotonin — helping students manage academic stress. 🐾

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy

Can we talk about how a dog's gaze can literally make you feel better? 🐶 Eye contact with a dog boosts oxytocin, the same hormone behind human bonding and feeling safe.

Take a paws. You deserve it. 💛

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #WellnessWednesday #ConnectionIsTheCure

📸 And stay tuned for the full photoshoot reveal on Friday!

#handinpaw #animalassistedtherapy #hip30 #connectionisthecure #HeartMonth #WearRedDay #americanheartassociation

PATS provides four-legged therapy to groups across Greater Victoria - Victoria News The volunteer-driven organization visits dozens of facilities, reaching 18,000 people annually

"[Sadey] Guy founded the Pacific Animal Therapy Society (PATS) in 1988, and they’ve been strengthening community well-being through the simple but powerful connection between people and animals for nearly four decades." #animalassistedtherapy #VancouverIsland #BC vicnews.com/2026/01/24/p...

📖 Fun Fact Friday 📖

Did you know that during WWI, around 500,000 cats served in trenches, not just for rat control, but as emotional support for soldiers? Animals have been helping and healing humans for centuries. 🐾💛

#HandInPaw #FunFactFriday #CatsRule #AnimalAssistedTherapy

📢 ATTENTION VENDORS! 📢

Don't miss out on your chance to reserve your spot at Mutt Strut! Secure your spot now before it's too late! Get details at handinpaw.org! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🦮

#MuttStrut2026 #HIP30 #30YearsOfHealing #BhamEvents #AnimalAssistedTherapy

That's the work we continue at Hand in Paw. 💛

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #ConnectionIsTheCure #WeAreHIP

🎶We're (still) here for you🎶...with 30% off Mutt Strut registration! This is the deepest discount of the season, and toda tomorrow y is the LAST day! Hurry for savings! Use code ILLBETHEREFORU at checkout. Register now: secure.qgiv.com/even...

#MuttStrut2026 #HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy

Therapy animals help your nervous system soften without words. Co-regulation is real, and your body feels the difference right away.

www.brightspottherapy.com
248.296.3104

#animalassistedtherapy #coregulation #nervoussystemhealing #traumarecovery #therapywithanimals #brightspottherapy

🎉Fun Fact Friday🎉 Did you know your dog can actually smell your feelings? They can pick up on subtle changes in your scent, like shifts in hormones, stress, or fear, and respond with the comfort you need. 🐶👃🐾💛

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #WeAreHIP #HIP30 #ConnectionIsTheCure

We’re excited to welcome Protective Life as a new Program Partner of Hand in Paw! 💛🐾

Together, we’re expanding access to Animal-Assisted Therapy and bringing meaningful moments of connection, comfort, and care to more people across our community.

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #WeAreHIP

With the holiday stress behind us, it's time to paws for a mental health boost! Did you know 86% of pet owners believe their pets enhance their mental well-being? The unconditional love, comfort, and connection they give can do a world of good for our happiness.

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy

Can you believe it's the last day of 2025! There’s still time to support Therapy Teams who bring comfort and connection to people across our community. 💛🐾

Donate to Hand in Paw’s Annual Giving Campaign by midnight!
👉 give.handinpaw.org/2025

#ConnectionIsTheCure #WeAreHIP #AnimalAssistedTherapy

2025: A Year of Wagging Tails & Healing Moments - Hand in Paw TALES BLOG / 2025: A Year of Wagging Tails & Healing Moments Join us as we look back at a year full of hope, healing, and connection! At a nursing conference at UAB this fall, a nurse sat down beside Sadie, a golden retriever Therapy Dog, and began to cry. Her own dog had recently died. Sitting with Sadie brought back memories — comforting and tender. That short visit, she told handler Mark, helped her move through her grief. That moment happened thousands of times this year, in different forms and places, but always with the same thread: presence, comfort, and unconditional acceptance. As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking ... Read more

Read more of our favorite moments from this year in our 2025 Year in Review on the Tales Blog: handinpaw.org/2025/1...

#AnimalAssistedTherapy #HandInPaw #WeAreHIP #ConnectionIsTheCure

Holiday stress is real. You’re not alone.

Slow down when you can. Take a breath. Step outside. Spend a quiet moment with your pet. Connection helps, and Animal-Assisted Therapy is built on that simple truth.

Learn more: handinpaw.org

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy

Holiday break mode: activated! 🎄✨ We're officially out of the office through January 5th, probably indulging in too many cookies. Hope Santa Paws treats you well! 🐶😻🎅 Thanks for being part of our journey this year. 🐾💛 Happy Pawlidays!

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy

We’re pleased to welcome Greg Greaves, Aaron McDonald, and Lisa McNair to the Hand in Paw Board of Directors next year.

We’re grateful for their leadership and commitment as we continue expanding Animal-Assisted Therapy across Central Alabama & Tuscaloosa.

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy

Looking for a meaningful gift? 💛🐾

Honor a loved one with a tribute brick in Hand in Paw’s Memorial Garden — a lasting way to support Animal-Assisted Therapy.

Learn more → handinpaw.org/donate...

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #MemorialGarden

A single quiet moment with a Therapy Animal can make a world of difference. 💛🐾

Get to know Therapy Team Mark & Sadie in our latest HIP Tales Blog.

Read more → handinpaw.org/2025/1...

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #WeAreHIP

Hand in Paw’s Annual Giving Campaign is already in motion, and we’re grateful for everyone supporting Therapy Teams across our community this season.

Make a gift any time at:
give.handinpaw.org/2025

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #AnnualGivingCampaign #WeAreHIP

Boo has comforted kids through hospital stays, hard days at school, and even family court.

His new children’s book, Boo’s Special Day, shares those real moments of healing.

Read the story behind it: handinpaw.org/boos-s...

#AnimalAssistedTherapy #HandInPaw #BoosSpecialDay

It’s #GivingTuesday!

We’re raising funds to train 30 new Therapy Teams for 2026 as demand grows across hospitals, schools, and eldercare programs.

Give today: give.handinpaw.org/G...

#HandInPaw #AnimalAssistedTherapy #WeAreHIP #ConnectionIsTheCur