See how 30 years of Animal-Assisted Therapy has impacted Birmingham

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For three decades, Hand in Paw has been bringing healing smiles to classrooms, nursing homes, hospitals and more—one wagging tail at a time. On May 16, the Birmingham-based Animal-Assisted Therapy nonprofit honored its legacy with a special “class reunion” celebration with volunteers from every chapter of the organization’s history.

Read on to learn more about Hand in Paw’s mission + how you can get in on the action.

Hand in Paw is Alabama’s premier Animal-Assisted Therapy provider

Last year, I tagged along with volunteers Amy and Brent—and their pups, Buddy and Maple—as part of a Hand in Paw visit to a nursing home in Irondale. There, I witnessed first-hand the impact that Animal-Assisted Therapy can have, as residents lit up with genuine smiles and eagerly clung to Buddy, Maple and the other dogs.

Founded in 1996, Hand in Paw is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides Animal-Assisted Therapy programs through passionate volunteers like Amy and Brent and their certified therapy animals. Based on scientific research, Animal-Assisted Therapy is a proven way to support physical, mental and emotional well-being in patients.

Today, more than 100 professionally trained Hand in Paw volunteer teams serve thousands of people each year through visits to community settings like:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Nursing homes
• Rehabilitation centers

“Hand in Paw is a great, welcoming organization. There are just so many different ways that you can get involved. If you want to volunteer with your dog, your cat, as a visit assistant or on the junior board — somebody will point you in the right direction. It’s just such a welcoming and fun organization to be a part of.”

Daniel Eleam, Volunteer Therapy Team Handler & Junior Board Member

Here’s what volunteers had to say at Hand in Paw’s “class reunion”

On May 16, Hand in Paw celebrated its 30th anniversary with a “class reunion”-esque party for volunteers. Held at Hand in Paw’s headquarters in Forest Park, the party was funded by Tito’s Homemade Vodka and gave volunteers—both current and retired—the opportunity to share their favorite memories and why they joined the organization.

“I love, love this mission. I’ve always had dogs, and I know how good they make me feel. So I figured they could bring a little joy and happiness to people who need it.

A dog can make someone’s life a little bit better on that particular day. And isn’t that what we’re all looking for? Whether you have a dog or not, you can certainly volunteer with Hand in Paw. If you don’t have a dog, you can volunteer as a visit assistant or volunteer at one of our events. You’ll meet a lot of fun people and do great things.”  

Beth Leonard, Longtime Volunteer and Board Member

One attendant, DeJuana McCrary, was one of Hand in Paw’s first Volunteer Therapy Teams and an early advocate of Animal-Assisted Therapy.

“I was sitting with Beth Franklin in 1996 when she said, ‘DeJuana, God has given me a vision.’ She wanted to bring animals into hospitals and schools and clinics so people could feel safe and loved.”  

“We met a man in a geriatric psych unit who had not spoken (in a while). When he met Little Monk, he suddenly said, ‘I had a hound dog one time.’ His son said, ‘You have made a difference in my life today.’ The nurse later told us that the last two weeks of his life, he was at peace for the first time in a long time.”  

DeJuana McCrary, Longtime volunteer

Want to get involved with Hand in Paw? Here’s how you can start.

Ready to become Hand in Paw volunteer? Visit Hand in Paw’s website to learn more and check out their Guide to Becoming a Therapy Team to get started.

“If somebody’s interested in pursuing Hand in Paw, I would say to absolutely do it. Whether you have a dog currently or not, get involved. We’re always needing visit assistants. We’re always needing people on the junior board and the board of directors to help with events. You’re going to meet some great people, and you’ll have a great time.”  

Jordan Carlisle, Volunteer Therapy Team (with her dog Francie); former Junior Board Member and Current Board Member

If your pet isn’t qualified to be a Hand in Paw volunteer—or you don’t have a pet—you can still volunteer by:

• Joining The Pack, Hand in Paw’s monthly giving community
• Assisting with fundraisers and events as a Hand in Paw Ambassador
• Participating in one of Hand in Paw’s signature fundraising events: Mutt Strutt, Picasso Pets and Barktoberfest
• Applying to join Hand in Paw’s Junior Board

Follow Hand in Paw on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about what it takes to become a volunteer! 

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