Our Mission

Rim of the World Comfort Pets exists to promote health and improve the quality of life for individuals through the animal-human interactions that come from animal assisted activities and therapy.  Our certified therapy animal-handler volunteer teams work to help heal individuals, elevate the professional standards in the therapy animal field, and promote the general cause of volunteerism.

What are Therapy Animals?

Therapy animals come in all sizes and breeds; Horses, Cats, Birds, Alpacas, Llamas, and primarily dogs. The first therapy animal program was started in 1976 with the intent to provide comfort to those in need.  Today, therapy animals are trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing facilities, rehabilitation, special needs school settings and many other community and social modalities. 

In 2013 in New Town CT therapy dogs were used to comfort traumatized families at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.  At the Boston bombing they were there too!  They were part of “Boston Strong.”  We have a valuable and gratifying need for this life giving volunteer community service everywhere.  You can do your part and give in many ways.

Rim of the World Comfort Pets has established visiting animal programs at a number of health care facilities including, Mountains Community Hospital in Lake Arrowhead, Jerry L. Pettis Memorial V.A. Medical Center in Loma Linda and Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Fontana.

A therapy dog’s primary job is to make positive physical contact with individuals in need of comfort contact.  The animals are often  hugged, petted, brushed, talked to, or simply sit on a person’s lap. Many dogs perform small tricks for those they visit; or even play carefully structured games. 

Therapy pet interactions and activities have shown clear, definitive, therapeutic effects on a variety of individuals.  Besides the intuitive therapeutic effect, many studies support the positive influence animals have on one’s health. 

For example, with schizophrenia patients, therapy animals are known to ground patients in reality.  For patients with dissociative disorders, dogs prove to be a calming influence and provide these patients with confidence that leads to increased interactions with healthcare professionals.  Therapy pets have also helped individuals with autism, depression, cerebral palsy, children who are afraid to read or speak; elderly individuals, and individuals with physical disabilities.

Therapy animal service programs have been shown to tangibly improve the health and learning ability of children.  By developing activities that involve the children and the animals, comfort pet therapy animals help students improve cognitive and motor skills

Rim of the World Comfort Pets

Established in February 2006, we are a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. We are exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your generous donations are qualified to receive a tax deduction under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code.

We are an organization of volunteers who provide interaction with specially trained handler and animal teams as therapeutic tools.  Our teams provide comfort and therapeutic kindness in medical, social service, and educational settings. For animal lovers, health care providers, and anyone who appreciates how animals and humans interrelate, this is an animal-human partnership in healing.