Healing Paws

What Healing Paws does

Healing Paws Inc. is a Washington State-based, founder-led services company founded in 1993 by Christi Dudzik (LMHC, MC, CPP-AAPT) that delivers animal-assisted interaction (AAI) training, animal-assisted therapy (AAT), consulting, and related educational services. Its core offerings are quarterly in-person therapy-team training classes (a 6-class Relationship Development/Handling Skills series at $275 per handler and a 2-day Enhancing the Therapy Team Experience workshop at $145), facility therapy-animal program consulting, professional workshops for healthcare and rehabilitation settings, and systematic dog-phobia counseling for individuals age 10 and older. The company also sells the proprietary GEL.PET.GEL. infection-prevention pin system through a small e-commerce storefront, with bulk pricing of $22–$54 per pack and excess revenue donated to animal rescue and therapy team organizations.

The underlying technology is methodological rather than software-based: AAI/AAT training curricula, handler-animal relationship development protocols, infection-control visual cue systems, and exposure-based cynophobia treatment delivered by a licensed mental health counselor. Christi Dudzik is the primary operator, supported by therapy dogs Viggo and Darby, with the business anchored at a single Woodinville, WA training facility (7333 227th St. SE). Distribution is primarily direct and in-person, supplemented by Zoom-based dog phobia sessions and limited e-commerce for pins. The company maintains authorized training provider relationships with Reading with Rover (Medical badge pathway) and historical Delta Society/Pet Partners Instructor and Evaluator credentials, alongside facility-level engagement with Swedish/Edmonds Hospital, Providence Everett Medical Center, and other Pacific Northwest healthcare systems.

The business is entirely bootstrapped and privately held, with no disclosed funding rounds, no external investors, and no subsidiaries. Revenue is generated through six distinct professional-services and product streams (training classes, workshops, professional AAI workshops, speaking engagements, facility/employee consulting, and pin sales), all on a pay-as-you-go basis. Customer segments span volunteer therapy teams (primary), healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities, individuals with cynophobia, and companies implementing employee-dog workplace programs. Marketing is primarily website- and referral-driven, augmented by conference speaking engagements at local and national healthcare and education events.

Name

Healing Paws

Legal name

Healing Paws Inc.

Website

https://healingpaws.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Healing Paws Inc. is a Washington State-based, founder-led services company founded in 1993 that delivers animal-assisted therapy training, AAT counseling, cynophobia treatment, and facility consulting, serving volunteer therapy teams, healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities, and employers with employee-dog programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodinville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Therapy Team Training Classes: 6-class series (Relationship Development/Handling Skills) at $275.00 per handler. Additional handlers sharing materials pay $250.00. Classes held quarterly in Woodinville, WA.
2. Enhancing Therapy Team Experience Workshop: 2-day workshop at $145.00, payment via check or Venmo. Includes visiting scenarios and boundary setting training.
3. GEL.PET.GEL. Pins Product Sales: Bulk pin sales: 10 pins for $22, 20 pins for $37, 30 pins for $54. Price includes shipping and tax. Excess revenue donated to animal rescue and therapy team organizations.
4. Professional Workshops: Customized workshops for professionals including AAI as Paid Profession, Group Connection, and Rehabilitation Setting topics. Fee required.
5. Speaking Engagements: AAI overview presentations to non-profit organizations at expenses-only rate. Conference speaking on therapy team development, animal welfare, and AAI benefits.
6. Consulting Services: Facility therapy animal program development and consulting. Employee-dog workplace program consulting for companies. Includes program customization, staff education, and ongoing support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Healing Paws provides animal-assisted interaction (AAI) training and therapy services led by founder Christi Dudzik, a licensed mental health counselor. The company trains volunteer and professional therapy teams through quarterly handler-animal classes and workshops, delivers animal-assisted therapy sessions at healthcare facilities, offers systematic dog phobia (cynophobia) counseling for individuals, consults with companies on employee-dog workplace programs, and sells GEL.PET.GEL. infection-prevention pins. All in-person training is delivered at its Woodinville, Washington facility.

Product overview

Healing Paws is a service-based company offering animal-assisted interaction training and therapy services through multiple integrated offerings. The core products include therapy team training classes (Relationship Development/Handling Skills and Enhancing the Therapy Team Experience), animal-assisted therapy services conducted by licensed counselors, and dog phobia counseling. The company also offers professional workshops (AAI as a Paid Profession, Group Connection, Developing AAI Training Courses, and Rehabilitation Setting incorporation), speaking engagements, and facility consulting services. A proprietary product, GEL.PET.GEL. Pins, supports infection prevention awareness for therapy teams. All services are delivered primarily in-person at their Woodinville, Washington facility, with some services available via Zoom.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GEL.PET.GEL. A therapy animal infection prevention initiative featuring pins that promote hand cleaning before and after interacting with therapy animals. The product is sold through Healing Paws Store to encourage best practices in therapy animal visits.

Products and services

• Relationship Development/Handling Skills Class A 6-class series (1.5 hours each) for handlers and animals new to animal-assisted activities and therapy, focusing on handling skills, reading animal stress signs, boundary setting, and practicing visiting scenarios in medical, educational, and other settings. Includes the book 'Teaming with your Therapy Dog' by Ann R. Howie. Priced at $275 per handler ($250 for additional handlers sharing materials).
• Enhancing the Therapy Team Experience Workshop A 2-day workshop for experienced therapy teams focusing on intentional visiting, understanding animal messages, handling skills, and boundary setting. Meets Reading with Rover Medical badge requirements. Priced at $145.00; payment via check or Venmo.
• GEL.PET.GEL. Pins Therapy animal infection prevention pins serving as visual cues to encourage hand cleaning before and after interacting with therapy animals. Sold in minimum batches of 10 pins ($22.00, plus 1 free bonus), 20 pins ($37.00, plus 2 free), 30 pins ($54.00, plus 3 free). Price includes shipping, handling, and local sales tax. Excess revenue is donated to animal rescue and therapy team organizations.
• AAI as a Paid Profession Workshop Workshop for licensed professionals to integrate registered therapy animals into their practice as 'animal co-workers,' covering registration, animal welfare, client screening, professional boundaries, and insurance considerations.
• Animal Assisted Therapy Group Connection Workshop Workshop on techniques for working with registered therapy animals in group settings including mental health, bereavement, and education. Covers group structure, facilitation, and role playing.
• Developing AAI Training Courses Workshop Workshop for creating therapy team training programs in local communities, including introductory workshops, experiential classes, and developing implementation outlines.
• Incorporation of Therapy Teams in Rehabilitation Setting Workshop Workshop for rehabilitation professionals and therapy animal handlers on creating effective interactions between patients and therapy teams, covering orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, speech difficulties, and stroke/brain injury.
• Speaking Engagements Educational presentations on therapy team relationship development, therapy animal welfare, and Animal-Assisted Interactions (AAI) for local and national healthcare and education conferences. Topics include hospice, bereavement, mental health, rehabilitation, medical facilities, and reading programs. Non-profit organizations receive presentations at an expenses-only rate.
• Consulting Services Customized consulting for healthcare facilities to develop and maintain therapy animal programs, including infection control, risk management, staff education, and case consultations. Also includes Employee Dogs in the Workplace consulting for companies and organizations wanting to allow employees to bring dogs to work in a structured way.
• Therapy Services Animal-assisted therapy conducted by master-level licensed counselors with registered therapy dogs, providing goal-specific counseling sessions, co-treatment group therapy, and rehabilitation sessions in healthcare facilities.
• Dog Phobia Counseling Systematic educational and exposure therapy for individuals (children age 10+ through adults) with cynophobia (fear of dogs), customized to individual needs. Available in-person in western Washington or via Zoom. Also provides group sessions for companies with employee dogs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Classes limited to small cohorts with quarterly scheduling
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reading with RovercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaddy and Viggo are registered therapy dog teams, medically badged through Reading with Rover. Healing Paws classes fulfill Reading with Rover requirements for Medical badges. The company is an authorized training provider.
• Pet PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealing Paws references Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society) as a primary therapy animal organization. Christi became registered Pet Partners team with Bear and eventually became a Delta Society Instructor and Evaluator. Providence Everett Medical Center requires Pet Partners registration.
• HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis ResponseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaddy and Christi became HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response team in summer 2018, ready to help in times of crises or disasters.
• Swedish/Edmonds HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish/Edmonds Hospital partners with Healing Paws for volunteer therapy team recruitment. Healing Paws assists in connecting facilities with therapy team volunteers.
• Providence Everett Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEMC Pacific Campus works with Healing Paws for therapy dog team visits in their Rehabilitation Unit.
• Intermountain Therapy AnimalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferenced as a therapy animal organization that Healing Paws recommends for therapy team requirements.
• MidSouth Therapy DogsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferenced as a therapy animal organization that Healing Paws recommends for therapy team requirements.
• Human Animal SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferenced as a therapy animal organization for handler training resources.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/healing-paws

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Healing Paws