Animal Welfare Professionals

Hello!

I am with Albuquerque Fire Rescue. We are in the process of starting a therapy dog program. The therapy dog will go with us on our home visits in our community EMS program. He will also be utilized during critical incident debriefings for our field crews. I was wondering if anyone knew of grant funding that would be available for our program? Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

#FundraisingandDevelopment

Sounds like a possible match for one of the Maddie's Fund Innovation grants but you will need to wait until the application window opens. Petco Foundation & PetSmart Charities also fund these kinds of programs but same situation -- you can only apply when specific program match is accepting applications. There are quite a few other foundations that fund this type of program but most are geographically restricted and/or same application window issue. If you let me know where you are, I can do a search for you and see if I can find any matches that are currently accepting applications. In the meantime, be sure to collect your data, create your program budget and be able to demonstrate need & what will define success of the project. <3

#FundraisingandDevelopment

Thank you! I did reach out to Maddie's Fund, however they did not have any resources at this time. We are in Albuquerque, NM. I have created a proposal, start up budget and a projected annual budget. I welcome any other recommendations you have! 

#FundraisingandDevelopment

Maddie's Fund does have their Idea Lab grant window open through 7/15. You might check and see if that applies to your project; PetSmart Charities Animal Assisted Therapy grant is open through 7/31 but requires a strong program component with children; Unfortunately, Petco Foundation's similar program is already closed for this year; Athletes for Animals might be a good match for you and their app is open until 9/15; there are quite a lot of foundations that are accepting applications but I would need to know more about the scope of the project and dollar amount of funding requested to match you with those (lots of variation in program components and dollars available). Have you looked at any community foundations local to you? Those wouldn't show up in my search engine. Sometimes they are very good for developing long-term partnerships and regular funding. <3

#FundraisingandDevelopment

Thx for mentioning all of these potential opportunities. However, to clarify, the Idea Lab grant opportunity is NOT currently available (and this wouldn't be good fit for a research grant). Sorry!

Sheila

#FundraisingandDevelopment

My current hometown, Patterson, CA, (I've lived in Albuq and SF) has an adopted therapy dog for the firefighters. You might speak to them about what you are wanting to do and maybe they can share their experience with their pup. 209.892.0872 

#FundraisingandDevelopment

Technically it would be emotional support but he could do both.

#FundraisingandDevelopment

Thanks for your suggestions! I will look into it!

#FundraisingandDevelopment

Hello there! Did you ever find any resources for your therapy dog program? I am currently looking for grant information for my county to start a therapy dog program. Any information would be appreciated. 

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Jessica Pazinets
Lieutenant Firefighter Paramedic
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services
GA
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I am a grant writer in Northern Minnesota, here is what I would look into. Please keep in mind that you may qualify for a grant that isn't strictly labeled as a therapy dog program- there are organizations that take requests for  anything to do with either animal welfare or humane mental health support. 

Look into funding from your state. For example, Minnesota provides funding to support law enforcement and fire department animal therapy programs. You might already have resources available in your state. 

CHB Foundation- their last round of animal-therapy assistance programs ends this January.

1 Fur 1 Foundation

I hope you find something that helps you!

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Bailey Evans
Grant Writer
Animal Allies Humane Society
MN
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