Since 1984, Project PUP has been providing pet visits to health-care facilities and brings comfort to the ailing, disabled and elderly. Our group serves Tampa Bay, including Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco Counties.
PUP stands for "Pets Uplifting People." The group is a nonprofit charity of about 300 volunteers. Most of the visiting pets are dogs, but there are a few friendly cats, and now and then a rabbit or even a ferret.
Such visits go on across the country. The pets like the attention. The people get the joy of pet companionship without the hassle. Studies consistently show that "pet therapy" boosts spirits and calms anxieties.
The human volunteers and the visitor-pets are screened.