This year marks a special milestone for West Michigan Therapy Dogs – 25 years of bringing smiles, comfort, and connection to our community. Since 2001, our volunteer teams have walked into hospitals, libraries, schools, and countless other spaces with one mission: to make a difference, one wag at a time.
A Look Back
Our first official visits began with just a handful of dedicated handlers and their dogs. They saw a need for consistent, trained pet therapy services in West Michigan – and they stepped up. Word spread quickly, and before long, WMTD was partnering with local hospitals and senior care facilities.
Growing Our Reach
Over the years, we’ve expanded to include reading programs in schools, community event appearances, crisis response visits, and partnerships with universities during exam weeks. Today, we have dozens of certified volunteer teams making hundreds of visits each year – all at no cost to the facilities we serve.
Moments We’ll Never Forget
- A child in a pediatric wing smiling for the first time in days.
- A veteran opening up about their service after petting one of our dogs.
- Students finding calm and focus during reading sessions with their canine “listeners.”
These moments – big and small — are why we do what we do.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate 25 years, we’re excited to grow our volunteer base, reach more communities, and continue offering the comfort only a therapy dog can provide.
If you’ve been touched by WMTD’s work, we invite you to share your story, volunteer, or donate to keep this mission thriving for the next 25 years and beyond.