PROJECT PUP
Pets Uplifting People
A Volunteer Organization
Since 1984, Project PUP has been providing pet visits to health-care facilities bringing comfort and joy to everyone they meet. Our group serves the Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
PUP stands for "Pets Uplifting People." The group is a nonprofit organization of about 400 volunteers. Most of the visiting pets are dogs, but there are a few friendly cats.
The PUP volunteers screen pets for visiting nursing homes, rehab centers, assisted living facilities and hospitals. The pets are screened for temperament and behavior.
Such visits go on across the country. The pets love the attention, the people visited get the joy of pet companionship and our volunteers have the heart warming experience of reaching out to others. Studies consistently show the "pet therapy" visit boosts spirits and uplifts everyone involved.