Project PUP | Pets Uplifting People

🐾 Pets Uplifting People • 501(c)(3) Therapy Dog Nonprofit

Comfort, connection, and hope—delivered one paw at a time.

Project PUP brings trained therapy-dog teams into schools, hospitals, senior communities, and
community events across the Tampa Bay area. We believe the human–animal bond can calm anxiety,
lift spirits, and help people feel seen, safe, and supported.

Your gift helps cover handler training, team support, outreach, and the resources that keep visits
consistent, safe, and impactful for the people who need them most.

Our Mission

What We Do

🐶 Therapy Dog Visits

Comfort where it’s needed most

Our teams provide gentle, supportive interactions that can brighten a day, lower stress,
and create meaningful connection for patients, students, seniors, and community members.

🏫 Schools & Youth Programs

Support for learning and confidence

Therapy dogs help kids practice reading, manage big feelings, and feel safer at school.
Calm attention and unconditional acceptance can make a real difference.

🫶 Community Outreach

Presence, kindness, and hope

We participate in community events and special visits that remind people they’re not alone—
that their community cares, and that healing can start with a simple hello.

How a visit helps
  • Reduces stress: gentle touch and a calm presence can help regulate emotions.
  • Encourages engagement: people often talk, smile, and connect more easily with a dog nearby.
  • Builds trust: therapy dogs offer non-judgmental companionship and comfort.
  • Creates moments of joy: even a short visit can shift an entire day.
Safety & professionalism
  • Trained teams: handlers and dogs work together with focus and care.
  • Respectful interactions: consent-based, gentle, and tailored to each environment.
  • Community-centered: we coordinate with staff to support the needs of each site.
  • Mission-first: every visit is about uplifting people through kindness and connection.

Get Involved

🤝 Volunteer

Join as a therapy team

If you have a friendly, well-mannered dog and a heart for service, you may be a great fit.
We’ll guide you through the steps to become a visiting team.

🏢 Partner

Request a visit program

Schools, hospitals, senior communities, and community organizations can request therapy-dog visits.
We’ll work with your team to plan meaningful sessions.

🎁 Support

Donate or sponsor a day

Donations help us expand visits, support volunteer teams, and keep our programs consistent.
Every contribution directly helps us show up for people who need comfort.

Contact

Want to request a visit, sponsor a program, or learn how to join as a therapy team?
We’d love to hear from you.

Email: [email protected]
Please include your name, organization, location, and what you’re hoping to set up (visit request, volunteering, partnership, or donation questions).

© Project PUP (Pets Uplifting People). All rights reserved.

Project PUP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapy-dog organization serving the Tampa Bay area.