Loving Animals Providing Smiles

We create smiles by connecting volunteers and their certified therapy pets with deserving children, teens, young adults and seniors.

Since 2001, we have brought high-quality and enriching in-person animal-assisted interactions to vulnerable populations in Napa County. Our clients include children living with emotional or learning difficulties, teens, young adults, seniors in Memory Care and Assisted-Living, and patients in skilled nursing facilities.

Each new volunteer and pet attend a 6-session training class to develop true therapy team skills. This training covers effective, safe and sympathetic client engagement, furthering therapeutic goals and ensuring client health and well-being. Each team is rigorously tested and receives mentoring throughout their career. LAPS volunteers reach hundreds of clients each year, bringing personal contact to underserved populations across our community. LAPS welcomes dogs, cats, bunnies, mini- horses and mini-donkeys as therapy pets who work alongside their human partners to share unconditional love with clients of all ages.