1FUR1’s plan for 2024 is to impact the lives of 46,400 people in need of animal assisted interventions. So far, 1 FUR 1’s four programs have reached 40,304 people living in select cities of CA, MI, FL,TN, SC, MO, CT, PA, NC, IL, IN, CO, AL, NJ, NY, IA.
To help support our hard working program partners, 1 FUR 1 wanted to create a fun way you can meet the hard working therapy animals. During this unique 10 min virtual experience, you get to have fun by learning about them and the important work they do. Plus, you get to help 1 FUR 1’s charitable mission move forward and offer more free services to people in need. Ready to book? This makes a great gift or just fun way to kick-off your next work meeting or family/friends gathering.
Love is all around us and we would like to send some to all of our amazing therapy animals and a special shout-out the ones shown. We’re so grateful to all animal handlers who support them daily as well as the four non-profit program partners who lead the mission forward. They all have dedicated their lives to helping others and we applaud their hard work. Together we do so much more than apart. Learn more…
We’re thrilled to surpass a huge milestone: quarter million people served in the U.S.A (to be exact, 274,053 and counting). We’re thankful to our supporters and four amazing program partners with 90+ therapy animals and handlers. Over the past 10 years of service, we have been witnesses to the healing powers, specially trained dogs and mini horses can provide, to people on their journey to wellness.
Joey is canine advocate helping child crime survivors within the Michigan court system. Recently, he met a special young lady that he connected with immediately. She was very nervous about testifying in front of the perpetrator. She asked, if she could lay down with Joey to get her mind off going into court that morning. Joey instantly claimed her and put his paw on her and seemed to sense she needed some assurance. They laid on the ground looking at each other and slowing dozing off for a few moments. The child’s mother was supportive and asked to take a picture of them. The family was grateful for Joey’s dedication and he received lots of “thank you” hugs. They all said how much they loved Joey and the Canine Advocate program.
Picasso is part of Kindred Spirits Therapy Minis. They are the only therapy mini horse team, certified and approved to work with the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Team and Air Force Base in the Florida panhandle. The team of four mini horses usually works to help veterans and the elderly with disabilities. But this day was different… Picasso welcomed Coast Guard sailors returning from deployment. The sailors were thrilled meeting Picasso and one of them said “Arriving home after months at sea is like a breath of fresh ocean air, but being greeted by a mini horse? Now that’s a landlubber’s welcome I never expected, how really cool is this!” A crowd of sailors surrounded Picasso and he made sure to make everyone feel welcome. As the animal assisted activity session was coming to a close Picasso focused on a sailor having a meeting with others, sitting at the conference table. He went up to him and interrupted their very important meeting. Afterwards the sailor said, “I really needed this today. Thank you, Picasso for coming to see us today.”
Chewie was an amazing therapy animal who was the founding member of Newfie Therapy and took his work to heart until his very last breath. After his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, his family took him to get his leg amputated since he was in tremendous pain. In the Vet lobby he saw couple who were crying. They had just brought a family pet in after a bad car accident. Chewie walked over to the couple and immediately started to comfort them, nuzzling their hands. The couple kneeled down and hugged Chewie. Looking up they asked, what kind of dog is he? Chewie’s mother answered, he’s a Newfoundland and a therapy dog. ‘He must have known how much we needed him today because he’s definitely giving us the therapy we needed on this horrible day’. Chewie had ignored his own pain to do what he knew best, offer comfort to those in need. His legacy continues as each of the 30+ Newfie therapy teams help people in need.
AJ is one of the hardest hard working mini horse on the Hearts and Hooves team in SoCal. He provides animal assisted therapy to help people with disabilities. On this day he worked with Jennie who is 2.5 years old and is on the Autism Spectrum. Her health goals were to improve transitions, following directions, learning to self soothe, trust others and so much more. First, she did frog jumps then transitioned to stacking blocks and counting them (which was hard). She pushed forward and went to work with AJ. Jennie helped hold his lead rope and lead him around the whole course while playing red light green light. She started building trust with Melissa who was teaching her how to groom AJ. She did have a little meltdown, but quickly let it go and moved into cleaning up his grooming box and putting him in his stall. Jennie did see her mom waiting on the sidelines but did not let that get in the way of completing this animal assisted therapy session.
Seeking 8 people able to sign-up for monthly subscription gift of $25 or more so 1 FUR 1 can provide free technologies to all its partner organizations. This reporting capturing system is unique and allows to track impact in real time for each for our animal assisted programs. It has changed everything – for us, our program partners, the people we serve, and the working animal teams who help people in need every day across 8 states. 1 FUR 1 Foundation is 100% volunteer ran 501c3 public charity on a mission to create, nurture and expand therapeutic bonds between animals and people. Learn more about the health benefits of AAA/T (here) and please consider pitching in vital fun-raising efforts to amplify our mission. Start today and join the 1fur1impact club. We and those we serve, THANK YOU!
Helping others is at the core of what we do. Last year, Jocelyn was diagnosed with leukemia at Rady’s Children Hospital in San Diego. She was at her worst time when she met AJ, the youngest #HealingHooves member. During her 20+ day hospital stay, AJ was able to help her forget, just for a bit, how sick she was feeling, the pain, the future uncertainty her family faced. Their connection was undeniable. They met again this year during 5K walk for charity. Jocelyn is now is remission and wanted to give back. So she did a lemonade stand and requested a visit from AJ. Well, we were thrilled to reunite them and see the spark between them once again. Her selfless act of kindness inspire us to continue moving our mission forward.
Get social with us! Follow our impact and inspirational animal stories with hashtags #1fur1impact, #NewfieTherapy, #HealingHooves and #CourtDogsInAction.
At 1FUR1 events everyone is welcome including your 4-legged best friends (no dog, no worries). Join us virtually or in-person and be sure to check out our monthly newsletter. We document our journey which we believe is a reason to celebrate.
1 FUR 1 Foundation has earned earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, a symbol of non-profit transparency and accountability. Less than 2 percent of non-profits registered are recognized with a Platinum Seal.
1 FUR 1’s animal blog is great resource about the healing powers of the human-animal bond. Be sure to check out the education center which lists substantiated facts about animal assisted interventions. If you or facility is in need of virtual sessions, called animal related engagements (A.R.E), please contact us.
The cornerstone of our mission is helping others. If your nonprofit needs assistance please, click here to see our grant guidelines and learn about our process. If you or someone you know needs a service animal or funding please, click here for organizations that can help since 1 FUR 1 doesn’t offer grants to individuals.