Animal Rescue Foundation's Programs Benefit People and Animals in Contra Costa County, CA

Animals and humans often benefit from the bond they share. Animals may be used to help people struggling, such as in animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities. Animals also benefit from the interactions with humans when they receive love and affection. The Animal Rescue Foundation, located in California offers several programs that benefit both humans and animals, whether they are awaiting adoption or are already in forever homes.

The Animal Rescue Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of people and animals and to rescue as many loving cats and dogs as possible. In accordance with their mission, the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) never puts healthy and loving cats or dogs to sleep to make room for more. Instead, when a pet finds a forever home, the organization goes out and rescues more animals who have run out of time at the public shelters in California. The organization was created in 1991 and offers many programs to enrich the lives of humans and companion animals.

Added Touch Program: One of the programs ARF offers that benefits the lives of humans and animals is the Added Touch Program. Through the Added Touch Program, visitors from adult day programs or assisted living facilities can enjoy animal assisted activities with cats and dogs from ARF. Additionally, the visitors have an opportunity to learn about the body language of animals. The participants not only benefit from this program, but the animals do as well. The cats and dogs at the shelter are able to stay socialized and receive a lot of love while they wait for forever homes.

Humane Emergency Animal Response Team: The Humane Emergency Animal Response Team is another program the ARF uses to benefit both humans and companion animals. Teams of humane educators and trained cats and dogs are on-call to help schools help their students through emotionally difficult times. The program is free of charge.

All Ears Reading: Another program where companion animals receive love and affection while helping kids is through the All Ears Reading program. The All Ears Reading program pairs trained pet teams with kids in order to encourage improvement in a child's reading skills, and hopefully a lifelong love of books and reading. According to ARF, animals make great reading partners for kids because they are non-judgmental and attentive. The program is open to students in grades 1-5 year-round. Your child can attend this program at one of several libraries located in Contra Costa County and pre-registration is required.

Pet Hug Pack: The Pet Hug Pack program allows individuals going through difficult times interact and bond with animals from the Animal Rescue Foundation. Cats and dogs are assessed to ensure they are healthy, possess good behavior, and have a good temperament before they may participate in this program. Pet Hug Pack teams visit people in adult day care programs, hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers. Studies have shown that there are real health benefits to interacting with companion animals, such as cats and dogs. Each visit from a Pet Hug Pack team from the ARF gives individuals between 30-60 minutes of time to interact with animals.

The Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek, California has several programs, which enrich the lives of both people and companion animals. This article discusses some of the programs this organization offers, but if you would like to learn more about ARF, you may visit their website or call 925-256-1273 or 800-567-1273.

Sources:

Animal Rescue Foundation: Home:
http://www.arf.net/

Animal Rescue Foundation: Contact ARF:
http://www.arf.net/contact/

Animal Rescue Foundation: Mission:
http://www.arf.net/about/mission.php

Animal Rescue Foundation: Animal Programs:
http://www.arf.net/animal-programs/