National Therapy Animal Day Returns April 30 to Celebrate the Healing Power of Animals

— Pet Partners honors therapy animal teams and raises awareness of their role in improving health and well-being nationwide.—

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pet Partners, the nation's leading organization registering therapy animals for animal-assisted interventions, will celebrate its 12th annual National Therapy Animal Day on April 30. Established by Pet Partners, this national observance honors therapy animals, raises awareness of their impact on human health and well-being, and recognizes the thousands of dedicated volunteer handlers who partner with their animals to serve communities around the world.

Each year, thousands of registered Pet Partners therapy animal teams visit people in a wide range of settings, including healthcare facilities, senior living centers, schools, courtrooms and justice system facilities, veteran facilities, and in response to crisis events. These visits foster meaningful connection and support emotional, social, and physical well-being through the power of the human-animal bond.

While dogs are the most common therapy animals, the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program welcomes nine species including cats, equines, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds, miniature pigs, and llamas and alpacas. This diversity reflects the organization's commitment to inclusion and expanding access to therapy animal visits for people in need.

"Our volunteers bring the human-animal bond to life in communities every day," said C. Annie Peters, President & CEO of Pet Partners. "With their therapy animals, they create moments of connection that can ease stress and support emotional well-being in ways that are both powerful and long-lasting."

Pet Partners invites individuals, organizations, and communities to take part in National Therapy Animal Day. Ways to get involved include:

1. Share your story: Post photos or stories with therapy animals to your social media using #NationalTherapyAnimalDay and #PetPartners.
2. Support the mission: Contribute now to the National Therapy Animal Day match campaign, ending April 30, at https://action.petpartners.org/page/188127/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=pressrelease. Thanks to our board of directors, all donations will be matched up to $20,000.
3. Show your support: Wear National Therapy Animal Day apparel to help spread awareness. Shop our Bonfire shop at https://www.bonfire.com/store/pet-partners-merchandise/?srsltid=AfmBOortYkGsfAGQydo6ZHxCbDxPvvHWO94MInxai-_xQF0eLSzMYrtL
4. Recognize volunteers: Celebrate a therapy animal team by sharing a message of appreciation with them or submitting a story via email at [email protected].
5. Make it official: Request a local proclamation to recognize April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day in your community using our simple tool at https://action.petpartners.org/page/144757/action/1?_ga=2.185096169.1977575687.1774021669-1759432542.1774021614&_gl=1*1lwevwy*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTc1OTQzMjU0Mi4xNzc0MDIxNjE0*_ga_EBPVFRN2WL*czE3NzQwMjE2MTQkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzQwMjE2NjkkajUkbDAkaDIxMTk5ODg1NTE.

To learn more about Pet Partners and National Therapy Animal Day, visit petpartners.org/ntad.

About Pet Partners

Pet Partners is the leader in the therapy animal field. Since 1977, the organization has registered thousands of teams who have made millions of visits across the U.S. and around the world. Through the power of the human-animal bond, Pet Partners can improve the physical, emotional, and social well-being of people and animals alike. Through rigorous training, high standards, and a commitment to inclusion, Pet Partners supports volunteer working with nine different species of animals. We elevate the importance of therapy animal visits, and our teams help build a healthier and happier world for us all. Whether or not you have a pet, you can learn more about sharing the impact of therapy animals at petpartners.org.

SOURCE Pet Partners