What Pet Partners does

Pet Partners is a Bellevue, Washington-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 (originally as the Delta Foundation, renamed Pet Partners in 2012) that operates the leading national therapy animal certification and volunteer management platform in the United States. The organization registers, trains, evaluates, and insures volunteer handler-animal teams — currently spanning 9 species — to deliver visits at healthcare facilities, schools, workplaces, courts, and crisis sites, and has supported millions of visits across 5 continents. Its core technology stack consists of a web-based Volunteer Center for registration and team management, an online Learning Management System delivering the Handler Course, Canine Body Language, Animal-Assisted Crisis Response, and Therapy & Facility Dog Training courses, and a content library of empirical white papers and position statements.

Pet Partners monetizes through a diversified nonprofit revenue model: individual donations and corporate sponsorships (including Aetna, Intel, Google, Microsoft, Farmers Insurance, NBA, Blue Shield of California, and Dechra), volunteer team registration fees ($95 initial, $70 biennial renewal), a la carte online education courses priced between $49 and $240, branded merchandise sold through channel partners (Bonfire, Lands' End, The Raspberry Field), and customized Workplace Well-being corporate programs billed as donations. A 2022-launched sister organization, AAAIP, extends the platform to clinical and educational professionals with C-AAIS certification and professional-grade insurance. The organization is led by President & CEO C. Annie Peters, with senior leadership across Mission, Development, and AAI Advancement functions, and is governed by an independent Board of Directors with no parent company or external equity backing.

Name

Pet Partners

Legal name

Pet Partners

Website

https://petpartners.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pet Partners is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 that trains, evaluates, certifies, and insures volunteer handler-animal teams across 9 species, enabling therapy visits at healthcare, education, workplace, and crisis-response facilities in the U.S. and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal-Assisted Therapy Certification Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA), Pet Services (Grooming, Training, Daycare) (CRALAIAJ), Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI)

Keywords

• Therapy animal certification
• Animal-assisted interventions
• Volunteer training programs
• Corporate wellness visits
• Animal-assisted crisis response

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellevue

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, corporate sponsors, matching gifts, stock donations, cryptocurrency, Donor Advised Funds, bequests, and planned giving. Monthly giving program available.
2. Registration Fees: Therapy animal team registration fees cover insurance, background checks, continuing education access, and staff support. First-time registration $95, renewal $70.
3. Education and Training Courses: Online courses including Handler Training ($80), Canine Body Language ($49), AACR Course ($115), and Therapy & Facility Dog Training for Dog Trainers ($120-$240).
4. Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including therapy animal vests, bandanas, patches, ID badges, lanyards, printed shirts, and handler guides sold through partner vendors.
5. Corporate Partnerships and Workplace Visits: Companies donate to Pet Partners in exchange for therapy animal workplace well-being visits and corporate event participation. Customized programs based on company size and visit frequency.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Pet Partners is the leading national nonprofit providing comprehensive education, evaluation, certification, and $5 million liability insurance for volunteer therapy animal teams (handlers and their animals) to make visits at healthcare facilities, schools, workplaces, and other community settings. Its Therapy Animal Program registers nine species (dogs, cats, equines, rabbits, guinea pigs, domestic rats, birds, mini pigs, and llamas/alpacas) and operates across the U.S., Canada, and internationally on five continents. Supporting paid offerings include online training courses, team evaluation services, the Workplace Well-being Program, the Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) deployment program, and branded merchandise.

Product overview

Pet Partners operates as a unified therapy animal certification and volunteer management platform centered on its Therapy Animal Program. The core offering includes handler education (Handler Course), team evaluation and registration services, and comprehensive liability insurance ($5 million). The platform extends through specialized sub-brands and initiatives including Read With Me™ (literacy), Walk With Me™ (physical activity), Workplace Well-being Program (corporate wellness), and Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (disaster support). A sister organization, AAAIP, serves professionals with AAI courses and C-AAIS certification. The organization runs signature fundraising events (Pet of the Year, World's Largest Pet Walk, National Therapy Animal Day) and partners with the Baxter Foundation for healthcare expansion. Pet Partners registers nine species (dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds, mini pigs, llamas/alpacas) and operates primarily through volunteer teams making facility visits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Therapy Animal Program: Core volunteer therapy animal registration and certification program that enables handlers and their animals to make therapeutic visits to healthcare facilities, schools, workplaces, and other settings.
• Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR)
• Read With Me
• Walk With Me
• Workplace Well-being
• National Therapy Animal Day
• World's Largest Pet Walk
• Pet of the Year

Products and services

• Therapy Animal Program Flagship registration and certification program that trains, evaluates, and registers volunteer therapy animal teams (handler plus animal) so they can safely visit healthcare facilities, schools, workplaces, and community settings. Registration includes $5 million liability insurance, background checks, and access to continuing education; nine species are accepted.
• Handler Course Online training course ($80) preparing prospective volunteer handlers to guide therapy animal visits; covers responsibilities, expectations, policies, and team evaluation preparation.
• Canine Body Language Course Online course ($49) teaching handlers to interpret dog body language signals so they can better support their therapy animals during visits. Endorsed by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
• Animal-Assisted Crisis Response Course Advanced online training course ($115) for current Pet Partners teams with 6+ months of experience, covering psychological first aid, FEMA Incident Command System integration, and deployment skills for crisis response.
• Therapy & Facility Dog Training for Dog Trainers Course Online course for professional dog trainers ($120–$240 depending on membership tier; 4 CEUs for CCPDT certified trainers) covering therapy and facility dog training methodologies, curriculum development, and team preparation skills.
• Team Evaluation Services Therapy animal team assessment conducted by licensed Pet Partners evaluators using the Pet Partners Skills Test (PPST) and Aptitude Test (PPAT). Traditional evaluations (scheduled events with role-play exercises) average $20; alternate evaluations are led by professional dog trainers with flexible scheduling.
• Workplace Well-being Program Corporate wellness program that brings trained Pet Partners therapy animal teams to workplaces to boost employee morale, satisfaction, and productivity. Companies make a donation to Pet Partners; customized proposals are based on visit frequency, locations, and company size.
• Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) Specialized crisis response program deploying trained therapy animal teams to provide emotional comfort and support to communities affected by natural disasters, human-caused tragedies, or technological emergencies. Integrates with the FEMA Incident Command System.
• Pet Partners Merchandise Shop Online store offering branded gear — therapy animal vests, bandanas, ID badges, patches, lanyards, printed shirts, hoodies, and handler guides — through partner vendors including The Raspberry Field LLC, Bonfire, and Lands' End.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of surveyed employees felt their mood improved after therapy animal visits
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Wellness Pet CompanyflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 June 2026Presenting sponsor for the ninth annual World's Largest Pet Walk on September 26, 2026. The free event invites participants worldwide to fundraise for Pet Partners' Therapy Animal Program.
• Baxter FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Two-year pilot program to expand therapy animal access in healthcare settings across northern California, upstate New York, and Chicagoland. Goal to reach 100,000 patients and healthcare workers. Includes funding, training, research, and volunteer engagement to improve healthcare resilience through animal-assisted interventions. Baxter employees invited to experience therapy animal visits and pet-friendly engagement opportunities.
• Farmers InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership and sponsorship arrangement. Farmers Insurance hosts Pet Partners teams at corporate events and industry functions.
• Purina Cat ChowcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Therapod - a three-city college tour bringing stress relief through therapy cats from Pet Partners to students in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
• Blue Shield of CaliforniacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting Pet Partners therapy animal workplace well-being and facility visit programs.
• Pet Food InstitutecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade association partnership supporting the human-animal bond and therapy animal programs.
• Companion EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partner relationship supporting Pet Partners through consumer engagement programs.
• We Are All Ears (Elanco)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnimal health company partnership supporting animal-related engagement initiatives.
• Pets in the ClassroomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational program partnership supporting dogs in the classroom educational programs.
• The Raspberry Field, LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMerchandise partner producing therapy animal vests, bandanas, leash covers, patches, ID badges, and lanyards for Pet Partners teams.
• BonfireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline merchandise store for Pet Partners printed shirts including tanks, T-shirts, crewnecks, and hoodies.
• Lands' EndminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmbroidery partner for Pet Partners logo apparel including polos, jackets, and pullovers.
• Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to make the healing benefits of the human-animal bond accessible to all through ongoing industry research and program support.
• Virginia Commonwealth University - Center for Human Animal InteractioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Dr. Nancy Gee serving as HABAB Chair. VCU's Dogs On Call program engages in 100,000+ interactions annually. Joint research initiatives advancing the field of human-animal interaction.
• Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization launched by Pet Partners in 2022 to serve professionals integrating therapy animals into schools, clinics, and offices. Provides education, certification (C-AAIS), networking, and insurance for AAI professionals.
• North Star Therapy AnimalscoreOthersMinnesota-based organization affiliated with the national Pet Partners network. Operates 350+ therapy animal teams who logged 26,000+ hours visiting 320+ sites last year.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alliance of Therapy Dogs: National nonprofit that registers, tests, and insures volunteer therapy dog teams for visits to hospitals, schools, and other facilities — the closest direct competitor to Pet Partners' core Therapy Animal Program.
• Love on a Leash: Volunteer-driven nonprofit that certifies therapy dog teams and coordinates facility visits across the U.S., competing head-to-head with Pet Partners for volunteer handlers and facility partnerships.
• Good Dog Foundation: Nonprofit therapy animal organization providing training, evaluation, and facility-based therapy animal visits in healthcare, education, and community settings — directly comparable mission and service mix.
• Bright Spot Therapy Dogs: New England-based nonprofit that trains and certifies therapy dog teams for healthcare, education, and crisis-response visits, overlapping Pet Partners' service lines on a regional basis.
• Lutheran Church Charities — Comfort Dog Ministry: Faith-based therapy dog deployment program providing crisis response, school, and community visits across the U.S. — comparable in mission, K-9 deployment model, and crisis-response capabilities to Pet Partners' AACR.
• Duo (formerly Dog B.O.N.E.S.): Massachusetts-based therapy dog nonprofit delivering visits to libraries, schools, and hospitals — a regional peer that competes with Pet Partners for New England facility contracts.

Others

• Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI): Nonprofit that funds and disseminates scientific research on the health benefits of companion animals — an existing Pet Partners partner and ecosystem peer shaping the empirical evidence base for animal-assisted interventions.
• VCU Center for Human Animal Interaction: Virginia Commonwealth University's academic Center for Human Animal Interaction, home of the Dogs On Call program and a strategic Pet Partners research partner — comparable on research leadership in AAI but academic rather than nonprofit volunteer-driven.

Broad incumbents

• PetSmart Charities: Large pet-welfare nonprofit funded by PetSmart; broader in scope (adoptions, access to care, disaster response) but mission-adjacent, and a benchmark for nonprofit scale and corporate sponsorship leverage.
• American Humane: National animal welfare nonprofit running the 'Hero Dog Awards' and therapy animal programs at scale — broader portfolio but overlapping in promoting the human-animal bond and certifying therapy animals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pet_partners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pet-partners
• Facebookfacebook.com/petsforhealth

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pet Partners