Loving Animals Providing Smiles (LAPS)

Loving Animals Providing Smiles (LAPS) LAPS is an all-volunteer non-profit animal assisted therapy organization serving Napa Valley, Solano, and Sonoma Valley Ca.

Our Mini-Hooves Providing Smiles division serves Nevada County Ca. LAPS focuses on creating therapy programs where multiple teams work together. We have found that where one therapy team can touch a client, simply having different pets at each session may engage clients who otherwise might not connect with a given team. Each team is encouraged to master behaviors and learn special skills that work in concert with other teams, thus building a positive, energetic environment for everyone.

We hope to see you at the Napa Pride Pet Party Saturday morning!
06/13/2026

We hope to see you at the Napa Pride Pet Party Saturday morning!

We’re so proud of LAPSer Mara C for organizing this great event to connect seniors and their families with local resourc...
06/12/2026

We’re so proud of LAPSer Mara C for organizing this great event to connect seniors and their families with local resources!

No better way to wrap up our CA Adopt-a-Pet Day series than with LAPS evaluator Deassa and two of her canine family memb...
06/07/2026

No better way to wrap up our CA Adopt-a-Pet Day series than with LAPS evaluator Deassa and two of her canine family members, Esther and Razzy. As you probably know, Deassa gives so much to the animals of our community as co-founder of Ripple Effect Animal Project. Over the years, she has been responsible for many, many pets finding their loving forever homes. Deassa has a special heart for fospice care and pets and people who need just a little more help. With that, meet two of her own sweet, adopted furkids:
- Esther the Bipod, shown riding in style in her festive wagon, was adopted on Gotcha day 12/5/2017 through Ripple effect Animal Project Napa. Esther's favorite things are any human that will pay attention to her and food!!
- Razzy, also rescued through Ripple Effect Animal Project Napa, with Gotcha Day 12/2017. Razzy's favorite things are veggies, Zoomies and laying in Deassa's lap.
Esther and Razzy would like us to remind you that adopted pets make great family members, today and every day!

Learn more about Ripple Effect Animal Project here: https://www.rippleeffectnapa.org/

LAPS associate members Mark and Laura (also a Board Member, social media and attendance coordinator, fundraising helper...
06/07/2026

LAPS associate members Mark and Laura (also a Board Member, social media and attendance coordinator, fundraising helper and evaluator) share their lives with Rodeo, a slightly shy Border Collie/Cattle Dog mix. Rodeo was adopted from the Perfect Dog Rescue https://theperfectdog.org/ with a Gotcha Day of March 29, 2025. Rodeo is just a youngster and still a bit timid about new experiences. His favorite things are his people, watching the world from a safe spot in "his" van, and anything involving treats. Especially the treats. Rodeo has been happily joining our Benicia Play and Practice sessions to build confidence and he's having a blast, especially when he spots treats. Laura and Mark are thankful for the many LAPSers who laugh at his antics, and their patient canine sidekicks, who are so well-mannered when our teenager shoves his way into the skill they're trying to practice!

LAPS team Michele and Shelby have an adopted feline family member. Meet Cha-Cha, adopted at the Napa Petco. Isn't she go...
06/07/2026

LAPS team Michele and Shelby have an adopted feline family member. Meet Cha-Cha, adopted at the Napa Petco. Isn't she gorgeous? We love her beautiful markings and are happy to have her as part of our extended LAPS family.

LAPS Board member and handler Michele and her animal assisted therapy dog Elsa have a family full of adopted pets to cel...
06/07/2026

LAPS Board member and handler Michele and her animal assisted therapy dog Elsa have a family full of adopted pets to celebrate. Meet Great Pyrenees Elsa, our aat princess, her best friend German Shepherd Dog Brix, and her kitty siblings Boone and Pumpkin Spice. Proof that love comes in many forms, we can't get enough of this glorious fur family. Ready to learn a bit more?
- Elsa, a beautiful fluffy white Great Pyr, teams up with Michele for LAPS programs, bringing joy to all ages and settings. She was adopted from Napa County Animal Shelter & Adoption Center https://www.napacounty.gov/1023/Animal-Shelter on 12/1/2019. Elsa's favorite things are visiting with people and haging out with her best friend Brix, who is also a rescue dog. Brix was adopted from ARF in Walnut Creek May 12 2022.
- Boone, a black and white kitty , and Pumpkin Spice, an orange cutie, were also adopted from Napa County Animal Shelter.

Retired LAPS therapy dog Quinn, whose mom Amanda remains active as an associate member working on grant applications, pu...
06/07/2026

Retired LAPS therapy dog Quinn, whose mom Amanda remains active as an associate member working on grant applications, public events, leadership support and more, is another of our delightful adopted pups. Quinn was adopted through Animal Rescuers Without Borders https://www.arwob.org. Her Gotcha Day was 8-14-13, and her favorite things are warm sunshine and naps. During her time as an active LAPSer, Quinn brought joy to many of our clients, and we're thrilled to know she is enjoying her retirement to the fullest!

Meet Lucy, LAPS evaluator "neutral dog". While not an animal assisted therapy team, Lucy and mom Gwenn (who also serves ...
06/06/2026

Meet Lucy, LAPS evaluator "neutral dog". While not an animal assisted therapy team, Lucy and mom Gwenn (who also serves as LAPS Treasurer, Secretary, Fundraising coordinator, Instructor and a key member of our evaluation team) participate in new and renewing team evaluations, helping all our LAPS teams keep their skills shining. Ability to maintain safe and effective visits and interactions around other dogs, including occasional "surprise" non-LAPS pets near our programs, is a critical skill. In evaluations, Lucy role plays as another dog, doing dog-things while the team being evaluated adapts to continue the interaction they are being tested on. She's a very important, and very sweet, little girl! Gwenn wasn't available to provide details, but we can certainly attest that Lucy is a lovable adopted family member.

Meet Boone, part of LAPSers Pamela and Harper's fur family. Pamela shared this about kitty Boone:Gotcha Day 6/1/23Adopte...
06/06/2026

Meet Boone, part of LAPSers Pamela and Harper's fur family. Pamela shared this about kitty Boone:
Gotcha Day 6/1/23
Adopted from Yolo County SPCA, he was born with no eyes, but has not let that deter him from climbing on cat trees or chasing unsuspecting insects that may enter the house. He likes naps the best and playing with his big brother Bastian.
https://www.yolospca.org

Thank you for giving this special cat a loving home and sharing him with us virtually!
Edit: corrected caninefamily member to Harper, sorry!

Address

PO Box 6596
Napa, CA
94581

Telephone

(707) 265-6642

Website

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