Pet Therapy of the Ozarks PTO

03/08/2024

Our next training session is Thursday, August 15th at 6:30.

Please note…. LOCATION CHANGE!

To allow us to train with the medical equipment and still be indoors to avoid the heat, Sidekick Dog Training has graciously invited us to use their facility.

We have room for 6 teams, and if we fill up, we will add another session.

Address: 1934 E. Meadowmere, Springfield.
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9fcdszQnz2VSZRkG6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Your trainer will be Ladina Vanzandt. Please RSVP to [email protected].

03/08/2024

 Finn loves showing off his summer duds!

01/08/2024

McGee, Lily, Doak, Willow, Jasper, Paige and Finn (Josie had to leave early) heard some great stories yesterday on our last day of Schweitzer Brentwood Library PALS Summer Reading program! Yesterday (counting parents) 61 visited the library during our hour visit! Wow 8 teams. I think this is a record! The children have kept up their reading skills over their summer vacation and will be ready to get back to school well equipped to start their next school year. Most also check out a book bag full of books on their weekly visit. Pet Therapy of the Ozarks PTO is proud to be involved at so many locations around Spfd with our PALS (Pets As ListenerS) program. We move to the last Wednesday of the month in Sept … so call Schweitzer Brentwood today to sign up! Thank you to every PALS team participating this summer!

01/08/2024

Even the Olympics have a pet therapy dog!

https://www.nbcwashington.com/paris-2024-summer-olympics/watch-team-usa-has-named-its-mvp-and-its-beacon-the-therapy-dog/3681041/

01/08/2024

Only 3 days left to have your application in for our next evaluation!

Our next testing series is coming up fast! And we only have a few spots left. Our Pawsitive Workshop is scheduled for August 17th, and our evaluation is September 21st. Applications must be received by August 3rd.

Interested in joining our great organization and have a friendly pet? Head on over to https://www.pettherapyozarks.org/join-us for more details!

01/08/2024

PTO TEAM SPOTLIGHT

Meet Linda Hall and Willow! Linda says "I joined PTO in 2019 when Willow was 2 years old. I retired from teaching second grade at Logan-Rogersville Elementary School, so that’s where we go regularly to listen to the kids read. We also participate in the PALS program at Schweitzer- Brentwood Public Library and do quite a few special visits. PTO gives Willow and I meaning and purpose in our lives and provides an opportunity for us to bond with each other. I love PTO because through it I get to know many people who share my love of dogs and community service."

"Willow the Pillow" loves the grandkids and hiking. She also has an Advanced Tricks graduate.

01/08/2024

Brickle visited Ozarks Methodist Manner today. On the third photo you can see a Brickle signature move. If you give her a good scratch in just the right spot, her right back leg shoots out straight! She’s such a silly, and loving girl!

25/07/2024

Today PALS at Schweitzer Brentwood. Doak, Finn, McGee, Jasper, Paige, and Josie heard lots of great stories 📚Each team got a thank you gift as next Wednesday wraps up the summer program! Starting in September we will do the 4th Wed of every month. Call today to sign up! 📚

24/07/2024

17/07/2024

Another great reading Wednesday w PALS teams at the Schweitzer Brentwood Library! Willow, Finn, Paige, Jasper, Doak and McGee heard lots of great stories. Our PALS program keeps the children reading during the summer and having fun reading to the dogs. 💗🐾 📚

17/07/2024

Wonderful day today!

17/07/2024

Great training session tonight at BomgaarsSupply in Republic. We really appreciate Bomgaars for allowing us to train in their store.

Tonight we worked on meet & greets, loose leash walking, and stays/recalls. We also worked on handling paws, ears, tails and grooming.

Thanks to all the teams that attended. Be on the lookout for details for our next training session scheduled for August 15th.

16/07/2024

Our 6 spots are full! If you are still interested in attending, please let me know and I will add another session.

Note the location change. We had originally planned the training for Phelps Grove Park, but due to the heat advisory, we have moved it to Bomgaars in Republic.

RSVP to [email protected].

16/07/2024

Don’t forget about our next training session! We will be meeting Tuesday, July 16th at 6:30pm at Bomgaars in Republic. We only have 6 spots available so please make sure to RSVP to [email protected]. If we fill up, I will offer a second session.

Please bring treats (or buy some there and support the store for allowing us to train there 🙂), a 6 foot lead (no flexi-leads) and a hungry dog!

15/07/2024

Piper and Sam brought lots of smiles to Strafford Care Saturday! Their monthly visits are always fun and they get lots of treats and back scratches from the residents and staff! Thx Piper and Sam for your dedication 💗🐾💗

13/07/2024

Jasper and Ginger also love greeting everyone at Wonders of Wildlife! They are great ambassadors for the aquarium. 

12/07/2024

Harleigh had a blast celebrating Shark Week during her time at Wonders of Wildlife today.

11/07/2024

PALS day at Schweitzer Brentwood Library yesterday. We had over 20 readers and were thrilled at the turnout. This program helps the students keep their skills during the summer. Most of them check out a pile of books also when they visit. One girl told me she wanted to read a certain book next Wednesday to a dog and I told her to just check it out and bring with her next week. She was thrilled!!! Call today to reserve a spot w a PALS (Pets As ListenerS) dog. 📚🐾💗Pictired are Doak, Jasper, Finn and Paige (sharing a little kiss!!!)

03/07/2024

Check out this video that explains a little bit more about our workshop and evaluation….

Have you ever wanted to know what our evaluation process looks like? Watch as one of our dogs goes through the evaluation, step by step.

03/07/2024

Our next testing series is coming up fast! And we only have a few spots left. Our Pawsitive Workshop is scheduled for August 17th, and our evaluation is September 21st. Applications must be received by August 3rd. Interested in joining our great organization and have a friendly pet? Head on over to https://www.pettherapyozarks.org/join-us for more details!

27/06/2024

Today was PALS day at Schweitzer Brentwood Library! Finn, Doak, Jasper, McGee, and Paige heard some great stories! We are continuing every Wednesday thru July. Call and schedule a reading time for your child or grandchild! It’s the most fun you can have on a hot summer day! 📚

24/06/2024

Tuesday night’s Ice Cream Pawty and social has been canceled due to the heat advisory. Please keep yourself and your fur babies safe and cool!

23/06/2024

This Tuesday is our ice cream pawty. All invited! We will have ice cream for our two legged friends, and puppaccinos for our four legged friends. To ensure we have enough, please make sure to RSVP to [email protected].

Make sure to bring your tricks game! We have a great prize for the best trick.

21/06/2024

JoJo and Harleigh love their visits at the Branches. Wednesday night we talked about the correct way to ask permission to greet a strange dog.

21/06/2024

21/06/2024

A big congratulations to team Paisley and Jenica on your Therapy Dog title. Thank you for your time and dedication to bringing smiles to all who you visit!

18/06/2024