Nov 08, 2019 Vote for Your Paws to Read Dogs
TheraPets of Indiana, Inc, a Library program provider, is in the running to win $10,000.
From the first photos she snapped of children easily reading to cute, supportive dogs, an immediate connection developed between TheraPets of Indiana and the Library’s Marketing Assistant Anne Cardimen. This connection is why TheraPets, a non-profit animal-assisted therapy provider, is eligible to win a $10,000 donation from the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders organization. But, they need your votes. (More on that later!)
The Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders’ Woman of the Year Project recognizes veteran Colts Cheerleaders for their community efforts throughout the year. Through fan voting, one Cheerleader will be selected as the Woman of the Year and will receive a $10,000 donation to the non-profit of her choice to be used to help complete a service project.
Anne is a second-year veteran of the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders and has selected TheraPets as her non-profit. After working with the therapy dogs and their handlers during the Library’s Paws to Read event, Anne said the organization’s mission really resonated with her.
“I always hated reading out-loud, especially in school,” said Anne. “My anxiety about reading out-loud has prevented me from ever really working on it. So, when I was able to see firsthand the positive impact the TheraPets had on children who, like me, weren’t the most confident readers, I knew that this organization would always hold a special place in my heart.” 
The Library is fortunate to regularly work with TheraPets during our monthly Paws to Read events. Our librarians see how therapy dogs can improve a child’s literacy, comprehension, communication skills, anxiety, focus, and attention span.
However, TheraPets’ programs go beyond the Library. TheraPets also offers its services to local nursing homes, hospices, individual client’s homes, and at schools. Their goal throughout all of their programs is to increase emotional well-being, promote healing, and improve the quality of life for their patients, as well as the staff and family members who care for them.
However, maintaining the health, grooming, training, food, and veterinarian bills of the Therapy Dogs in their care prevents TheraPets from being able to rescue additional dogs or expand their programs. A $10,000 donation could surely open up the possibilities.
To vote for Anne and her selected non-profit, TheraPets of Indiana, please click here. Voting is unlimited and ends November 20!