Certified Dog Visits
Have you considered volunteering with your dog? We always have more requests for visits from patients than our dog/handler teams can provide. There is great information on the Pet Partners website about volunteering. You can also watch their Volunteering with Your Pet video and take their short, fun quiz to find out if you and your pet would make a great Pet Partners Therapy team!
Research shows that relationships with animals have a positive influence on health. Interacting with pets can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, decrease loneliness, and enhance feelings of well-being.
Meet Our Four-legged Volunteers!
Annie
Handler: Peggy McIntire
Birthday: February 25th 2018
Breed: Goldendoodle
Fun Fact: Annie pretends to be asleep when she is getting petted so don’t stop!
Annie has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2019!
Birthday: February 25th 2018
Breed: Goldendoodle
Fun Fact: Annie pretends to be asleep when she is getting petted so don’t stop!
Annie has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2019!
Murphy
Handler: Kelly O’Connell
Birthday: October 30th, 2017
Breed: Vizla
Fun Fact: Murphy knows his commands in American Sign Language and loves some Cheerios. Murphy also loves being close to people!
Muphy has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2022!
Birthday: October 30th, 2017
Breed: Vizla
Fun Fact: Murphy knows his commands in American Sign Language and loves some Cheerios. Murphy also loves being close to people!
Muphy has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2022!
Taw
Handler: Sherry Mattison
Birthday: January 27th 2020
Breed: Bernedoodle
Fun fact: Taw’s name is from a 1967 John Wayne movie called, “The War Wagon.” John Wayne’s character was Taw Jackson.
Taw has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Birthday: January 27th 2020
Breed: Bernedoodle
Fun fact: Taw’s name is from a 1967 John Wayne movie called, “The War Wagon.” John Wayne’s character was Taw Jackson.
Taw has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Sam
Handler: Carol Steffensmeier
Birthday: June 16th 2017
Breed: English Doodle
Fun fact: Sam can fit three toys in his mouth and loves playing fetch!
Sam has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2022!
Birthday: June 16th 2017
Breed: English Doodle
Fun fact: Sam can fit three toys in his mouth and loves playing fetch!
Sam has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2022!
Ruthie
Handler: Rebecca Porter
Birthday: July 17th 2017
Breed: Golden Retriever
Fun fact: Ruthie does not like swimming, but she likes meeting new friends!
Ruthie has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2022!
Birthday: July 17th 2017
Breed: Golden Retriever
Fun fact: Ruthie does not like swimming, but she likes meeting new friends!
Ruthie has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2022!
Widget
Handler: Jean Reed
Birthday: September 1st, 2017
Breed: Pomeranian
Fun fact: Widget is very athletic and loves to fetch balls, go for walks, and play with her little sister Cheerio!
Widget has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Birthday: September 1st, 2017
Breed: Pomeranian
Fun fact: Widget is very athletic and loves to fetch balls, go for walks, and play with her little sister Cheerio!
Widget has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Leroi
Handler: Lily Westemeyer
Breed: Chihuahua
Sam has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Breed: Chihuahua
Sam has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Max
Handler: Rachael Vivian
Birthday: February 15, 2018
Breed: Chihuahua
Fun fact: Max loves lettuce!
Max has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2024!
Birthday: February 15, 2018
Breed: Chihuahua
Fun fact: Max loves lettuce!
Max has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2024!
Zinnia
Handler: Leigh Becker
Birthday: March 9, 2021
Breed: Aussiedoodle
Fun fact: Zinnia likes to open the front door herself when she wants back inside
Zinnia has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Birthday: March 9, 2021
Breed: Aussiedoodle
Fun fact: Zinnia likes to open the front door herself when she wants back inside
Zinnia has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Locations and Offices
8025 John W. Colloton Pavilion (JCP)
Level 8, Elevator F
Resource Office
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242