Our Programs

K9 c.a.r.e.s. develops and operates programs using registered therapy dogs and their qualified volunteer handlers to provide services to organizations and individuals within the local communities. These programs are focused in 4 specific areas:

1) Providing Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy (AAA/T) services for patients at hospitals and acute care facilities,

2) Providing children with individual reading sessions with canines for children's literacy programs at local libraries and schools,

3) Helping to develop self-esteem and a sense of well-being for women and children at domestic violence shelters, and

4) Supporting victims of crimes and their families as they go through law enforcement processes and criminal justice proceedings via the advocate dog program.

Handler/canine teams serve on a volunteer basis based on their specific area of interest. Canine team visits are primarily prescheduled to ensure consistent delivery of service to the client organizations; delivery of services to victims and witnesses of crimes is mostly 'on-demand' due to the unique nature of each situation and the inability to predict needs for service.

With our expansion to these venues K9 c.a.r.e.s. touches our communities with even more wagging tails, smiles and healing.
Delta Society® provides the foundation and standards for therapy dog registration. The registration process ensures consistency and promotes high standards for therapy dogs. Delta Society® provides a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy for all registered therapy dogs as long as they maintain and follow registration requirements.

Dr. Dog Program - University of Colorado Hospital

K9 c.a.r.e.s. is the sole provider of AAA/T services, the "Dr. Dog Program", for the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. Providing therapy dog teams for a variety of skill levels from Animal Assisted Therapy in the Acute Rehab Anschutz In-Patient Pavilion (AIP), to Animal Assisted Activities for various AIP Units including Orthopedics, Neurology, Surgery, ICU, Acute Care for the Elderly, out-patient Dialysis Clinic and CeDAR, The Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation, a world-class residential addiction and co-occurring disorder treatment facility.

K9 c.a.r.e.s. about READing Program

K9 c.a.r.e.s. is a Reading Education Assistance Dogs ® (R.E.A.D) affiliated organization providing teams with the knowledge and experience to work with children. The "K9 c.a.r.e.s. about READing Program" is provided to Westminster Libraries, including College Hill Library at Front Range Community College The R.E.A.D. program is supported by Intermountain Therapy Animals.

Caitee C.A.R.E.S. Club

K9 c.a.r.e.s. developed the "Caitee C.A.R.E.S. Club" visiting program at Family Tree's Women-In-Crisis Safe House, supporting women and children who have experienced the victimization of domestic violence.

Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice System Programs

K9 c.a.r.e.s. law enforcement and criminal justice system programs have been initially sponsored by Westminster Police Department, Adams County Courts and the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office. These advanced ground breaking programs have been a first for the state of Colorado. More agencies and districts are currently in development.