Bright Spot Therapy Dogs is a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization run on volunteer hard work and dedication to our mission of placing well trained, certified therapy dogs in programs that provide comfort and caring through the human-canine bond.
When I founded Bright Spot Therapy Dogs in 2004, it consisted of just one therapy dog team – me and my dog Trudi. Now in its ninth year, Bright Spot has trained and certified over 175 therapy dog teams that visit throughout New England. We got where we are today through the tireless efforts of an amazingly talented Board of Directors who offer their expertise and countless hours of their time to moving our well-respected therapy dog organization forward and blazing uncharted waters, as we grow in numbers and in new opportunities for offering comfort and companionship through the human-canine bond.
Today, Board members Patti Tibbetts and Ern Damon met at my home (aka Bright Spot Therapy Dogs headquarters) to assemble our annual appeal. This ever-growing mailing is very important to our continued growth. Through gifts from donors who believe in the meaningful work our therapy dogs do in the community, we are able to offer special programs like our Bright Spot Reading Buddy Program in elementary schools, our Stress-Relief Events on college campuses during exam time, and our therapy dog team training program to teach new volunteers the skills and techniques necessary to conduct successful visits.
With Patti’s and Ern’s help today, we were able to assemble our entire appeal and send it off in the mail. What would have taken one person several days to complete was executed in a matter of 2 1/2 hours. While working we brainstormed ways to better handle operations of the organization, talked through some issues to address during the Board’s Strategic Planning Meeting in December, and generally had a fun time enjoying each other’s company.
I am forever in awe of the wonderful people I have met while traveling this journey with my own seven therapy dogs. Generous, caring people who love their dogs and want to share them with those in need. People willing to step to the fore and donate their time as Board members, each delving in to a particular aspect of organizational operations. Thank you, Patti and Ern, for your great efforts today – and everyday – to make Bright Spot Therapy Dogs the best it can be.
If you would like to make a donation to Bright Spot Therapy Dogs to support our mission, go to our website and click on Make a Donation. Your gift will go a long way in bringing comfort and caring to those who need it most.