West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc.

West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. We partner with community health, education, and rehabilitative services in West Michigan to promote the human-animal healing connection.

For 25 years, weโ€™ve been making a difference in the lives of those in need...one wag at a time. ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿพ West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. a non-profit therapy dog organization of volunteers providing the western region of Michigan with Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) since 2001. Handler and dog teams partner with community health, education, and rehabilitative services

to promote emotional, physical, and psychological support
through the human-animal healing connection.

Grateful for visits like these and all the joy they bring! ๐Ÿ’™
06/18/2026

Grateful for visits like these and all the joy they bring! ๐Ÿ’™

06/18/2026

Jenni is a wonderful member of the team over at Beer City Dog Biscuits, a nonprofit that creates meaningful employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the joy of baking dog treats.

Thank you to Jenni for sharing her experience at Beer City Dog Biscuits and how visits from our therapy dog teams help make her day a little brighter.

For 25 years, West Michigan Therapy Dogs has been spreading smiles across our community through the power of the human-animal bond. Jenni's story is a reminder that therapy dog visits do more than provide comfort - they spark conversations, bring joy, and turn ordinary days into more fun ones!

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we're grateful for community partners like Beer City Dog Biscuits who help bring smiles, connection, and a sense of belonging to our community.

Help us celebrate 25 years of impact by supporting the next 25 years of therapy dog visits. Visit wmtd.org to donate, volunteer, or learn more!

Beer City Dog Biscuits

BRB, busy petting therapy dogs ๐Ÿ’Œ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿฅฐ
06/16/2026

BRB, busy petting therapy dogs ๐Ÿ’Œ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿฅฐ

06/12/2026

Kidding, obviously!
โ€ฆ but for real though ๐Ÿคค๐Ÿฆ

From shelter dog to therapy dog, meet Maeve!Just over a year ago, Jarl Brey unexpectedly lost his corgi companion of 11 ...
06/10/2026

From shelter dog to therapy dog, meet Maeve!

Just over a year ago, Jarl Brey unexpectedly lost his corgi companion of 11 years. He told himself he would wait at least six months before adopting another dog.
He lasted 28 days.

That decision led him to Maeve, a shy stray who had spent more than a month waiting at the Kent County Animal Shelter. Staff described her as timid and quiet, but during their very first walk together, Jarl saw something special. Maeve walked beautifully on a leash, knew basic commands, happily accepted a treat, and won him over with her unforgettable fur.

Before long, Maeve became a constant companion.

"Maeve has been a Godsend for me," Jarl says. "I needed her as much as she needed me."

When friends introduced Jarl to West Michigan Therapy Dogs, volunteering felt like a natural next step. Maeve's calm, gentle personality made her a perfect fit, and after completing her assessment and training, the pair began visiting throughout the community.

Since then, they've shared smiles and comfort at Grand Valley State University's Exam Jam, the Michigan Veterans Home, Grand Rapids Christian High School, Clark Retirement Community, Project Night Lights outside Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, and more.

One moment stands out above the rest. During Maeve's very first visit to the memory care unit at Clark Retirement Community, she walked up to a resident and perfectly performed a "Paws Up" without being asked.

"My jaw dropped," Jarl recalls. For him, it was a reminder of what makes therapy dogs so remarkable. Sometimes, they seem to know exactly what someone needs.

Maeve's story is also a reminder that incredible dogs can be found in shelters everywhere.

"There are many other 'Maeves' that just want to be loved," Jarl says. "We're a pretty good team."

Thank you, Maeve and Jarl, for sharing your story and for the comfort you bring to our community each day.

Maeve's journey is proof that one dog can make a meaningful difference in countless lives. Read her full story at wmtd.org, and learn how you and your dog can help bring comfort, connection, and joy to our community.

Kent County Animal Shelter

06/08/2026

June 8-12 is Community Health Improvement Week! ๐Ÿ’™

For West Michigan Therapy Dog teams, every wag, smile, and interaction is part of a larger effort to support community well-being.

While therapy dogs can't solve every health challenge, they can help reduce stress, encourage social interaction, and create meaningful moments that support emotional well-being โ€“ care that extends beyond traditional healthcare settings.

This week, we recognize the volunteers, community partners, and supporters who help make those moments possible across West Michigan. Thank you for helping us build healthier, more connected communities.

As we celebrate 25 Years of Comfort & A Lifetime of Impact, your support helps us continue bringing comfort and connection to our communities for years to come. Visit wmtd.org to learn more, donate, or get involved.

June is PTSD Awareness Month ๐ŸฉตPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions of people each year. While often as...
06/04/2026

June is PTSD Awareness Month ๐Ÿฉต

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions of people each year. While often associated with military combat, PTSD can develop after any traumatic experience โ€“ including car accidents, natural disasters, abuse, medical trauma, or assault. Itโ€™s estimated that 6%-10% of people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, yet many go without professional support or treatment.

At West Michigan Therapy Dogs, we witness every day how comfort, connection, and compassion can make a difference. Whether itโ€™s offering a calming presence during a difficult moment or simply bringing a reason to smile, therapy dogs can provide meaningful support to those navigating trauma, stress, and healing.

We stand with those affected by PTSD and encourage open conversations surrounding mental health. You are never alone. ๐Ÿพ

06/02/2026

Behind every therapy dog team is a story ๐Ÿพ

For Diane and her dog Duncan, volunteering at Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital is deeply personal. After Dianeโ€™s husband received life-saving care there while battling an autoimmune condition and complications affecting his liver, she knew she wanted to give back in a meaningful way.

Now, Diane and Duncan spend their time bringing comfort, connection, and calm to patients, families, and staff to say "๐™ฉ๐™๐™–๐™ฃ๐™  ๐™ฎ๐™ค๐™ช". Together, they share the same compassion that once meant so much to their own family during a difficult time.

As we celebrate 25 years of comfort and a lifetime of impact, stories like Diane and Duncanโ€™s remind us why this work matters. For 25 years, WMTD teams have been showing up for our community in moments both ordinary and life-changing โ€” made possible by the kindness of volunteers, loving dogs, devoted supporters, and generous donors.

Help us continue this mission for the next 25 years: visit wmtd.org to learn more, support our teams, or get involved. ๐Ÿ’™

Trinity Health MI

Tops off & tails wagging! ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿš™A huge thank you to Grand Rapids Jeep Club 616 Jeeps for choosing West Michigan Therapy Dogs...
05/29/2026

Tops off & tails wagging! ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿš™

A huge thank you to Grand Rapids Jeep Club 616 Jeeps for choosing West Michigan Therapy Dogs as the beneficiary of this yearโ€™s Go Topless Day 2026 fundraiser! We had such a great time spending the day with an amazing community of Jeep enthusiasts, supporters, WMTD volunteers, and of course, plenty of lovable pups.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended, participated in raffles, purchased merch, donated, and helped spread the word, the event raised an estimated $2,500+ in support of West Michigan Therapy Dogsโ€™ mission.

Thank you Grand Rapids Jeep Club LLC for helping us continue bringing comfort, connection, and smiles to communities across West Michigan. ๐Ÿ’™

A look backโ€ฆ ๐ŸพIn 2001, two friends with a shared love of dogs and a passion for helping others came together with an ide...
05/27/2026

A look backโ€ฆ ๐Ÿพ
In 2001, two friends with a shared love of dogs and a passion for helping others came together with an idea that would forever shape therapy dog work in West Michigan.

Our founders, Jeanne Lewis and Terrilyn Lymburner, first met through Kimโ€™s K-9 in Grand Rapids. Jeanne, a dog trainer and enthusiast, often brought her dog Indigo to work, while Terrilyn, a geriatric psychologist, brought her dog Maxine for daycare and socialization. Their friendship grew through a shared belief in the comfort and connection dogs can provide.

At the time, Terrilyn was volunteering with Maxine through a small hospital pet therapy program and began to see the incredible impact these visits had. She recognized that with more structure, training, and mentorship, therapy dog work could reach even more people throughout the community.

That vision became West Michigan Therapy Dogs.
What started with just two volunteer teams visiting a single nursing home floor has grown into more than 250 registered teams serving over 100 programs across five counties.

Over the years, WMTD has helped pioneer therapy dog programming throughout West Michigan. Long before therapy dogs became common in schools, courthouses, and airports, WMTD volunteers were already demonstrating the powerful role animal-assisted support could play within the community.

The road wasn't always easy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our teams adapted to continue serving safely however possible, including visiting healthcare workers across all shifts to offer moments of comfort and encouragement during an incredibly difficult time. Even in uncertainty, the mission remained the same: showing up for people when they needed it most.

As we celebrate this milestone, we honor every person and every therapy dog who has been part of our journey โ€” past and present.

25 Years of Comfort. A Lifetime of Impact. ๐Ÿ’™

Address

P. O. Box 2533
Grand Rapids, MI
49501

Telephone

+16167261256

Website

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