Arizona youth are experiencing adversities at a higher rate than the national average, with our state ranking 42nd in the nation for overall child well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book. Before the age of 18, many experience potentially traumatic events including abuse, neglect, bullying, family instabilities, chronic hunger, unstable housing, and more.
This is where Paws for Youth’s registered therapy pets, incredible volunteers, and thoughtfully crafted program curriculum comes in.
Studies show pet therapy has the power to:
Proven Pet Therapy Programs
Paws for Youth’s Animals, Books, and Children (ABC) program improves confidence and motivation to read through creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where children read aloud to therapy pets. These one-on-one visits help ease the anxiety often associated with reading, encouraging children to engage with books and develop a love of learning while building key strengths like confidence, self-worth, and emotional resilience.
When we asked teachers, social workers, and reading specialists at our partnering schools to evaluate their students’ experiences in the ABC program:
- 92% reported improved reading confidence
- 97% reported improved motivation to read
- 89% reported improved self-respect and well-being
Our Paws for Resilience program is designed to help youth develop emotional regulation and coping skills. Through guided interactions with therapy animals and compassionate volunteers, participants engage in activities that promote self-awareness, stress management, and resilience. This program provides a foundation for youth to build stronger emotional well-being and healthier relationships.
In an evaluation of our Paws for Resilience program by staff at partnering schools and agencies:
- 92% reported improvement in relationships
- 83% reported improved teamwork skills and emotional regulation
- 88% reported increased resilience, attunement, and respect for others
In addition to these curriculum-based visits, Paws for Youth also offers Community Support Visits. This enables our partners to request additional support to promote the importance of mental health, respond to high-stress incidents, ease anxiety during exams, and more. It also makes it possible for partners who don’t have set schedules, such as behavioral treatment facilities, to receive support adapted to the youth in their care at any given moment in time. These flexible visits address immediate emotional and social needs, providing comfort and connection whenever and wherever youth are in need.
100% of staff at partnering schools and organizations who provided feedback rated Paws for Youth 5/5 for our Community Support Visits, achieving their intended goals for the visits.
