1FUR1 Impact

Since inception, 1 FUR1’s mission has been able to help over 109,978 people in need of animal assisted intervention. In 2022 we had to learn how to be stronger support system for our partners and propel us into the future with new technology. This investment will be testing the support of our community in 2023 since our financial and human capital has been depleted. We also weren’t able to bring in any new programs last year but we hope to have resources to change that. 1 FUR 1 is coming off of two years without any major fundraising in-person events during the 2020/2021 COVID-19 pandemic. During those time we were able to manage our financial reality well, which allowed our partners to receive additional grants and resources. 1 FUR 1 Foundation’s success is measured by our ability to provide free-of-charge animal assisted therapy (AAT) and activities (AAA) to most vulnerable population segments in the U.S.A. 

Our Story

1 FUR 1 was established in the summer of 2014 in Chicago, Illinois with one very special dog, named Ripley. This incredibly sweet and loving canine provided animal assisted activity visits to over 45 seniors with dementia at a long-term care facility. In 2015 and 2016, with the support of the community we were able to expand by adding a service dog in training for a veteran with PTSD, a no-kill shelter cat program spreading joy to seniors with disabilities and mini horses helping to heal children with autism.  In 2017 – 2018, our impact grew exponentially and in 2019 we’re proud to have reach over 10,300 children and seniors with disability who directly benefited from our free animal assist programs. In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic started, most of our programs were suspended for 9 out of the 12 month without confirmed timeline to resume operations. Once the CDC approved vaccinations, we refocused our efforts to support workers on the front lines. So in 2021, with a new partnership in the South, we were able to provide free animal assisted services to almost 12,000 people in need across 37 facilities across 6 states (CA, MI, FL, TN, SC and NC). However, we have another casualty of COVID-19 pandemic…the dissolution of FFR our Midwest school program which worked with therapy dogs to help children with emotional disorders. Operations were officially shut down in December of 2021, following two years of inability of the public school system. 2022 was our biggest year to date for 1 FUR 1 Foundation – we provided free animal assisted services to almost 40,000 people in need.

Advancing the Mission

1 FUR 1 continues to expand only because of the dedicated volunteers, partners and donors who support our charitable mission. Check out the growth of are mission year-over-year:

• 2022 Impact Report
• 2021 Impact Report
• 2020 Impact Report
• 2019 Impact Report
• 2018 Impact Report
• 2017 Annual Report
• 2016 Annual Report