Biloxi mayor proclaims April 30th as National Therapy Dog Day
Biloxi Mayor ‘FoFo’ Gilich presented a proclamation naming April 30th to be National Therapy Dog Day.
The dogs play an essential role in improving human health and well-being through human-animal bonds.
Pet Partners animal teams make millions of visits per year to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and libraries.
The dogs interact with a variety of people such as veterans, students facing literacy challenges, and those approaching the end of life.
Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi covers Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock counties. Training the dogs can take three months to a year.
No matter the size or age, all dogs, except pit bulls, are welcome. Visiting Pets of South Mississippi Coordinator Mike Bowin said, “It’s a good deal of work, especially preparing an animal for this, but like I said in giving we receive and dogs are unconditional love.”
If anyone would like to become part of the therapy team, you can go to visitingpets.org. New member introduction is the second Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at Gulfport Memorial Hospital.
