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One visit from a friendly furry face can turn a difficult day into a moment of joy.
Happy Tails volunteer teams provide physical, social, emotional, and cognitive therapy to people of all ages across metro Atlanta. We visit hospitals, assisted living communities, schools, and behavioral health centers,bringing the healing power of animal-assisted interactions to those who need it most.
Our most popular and most common form of therapy interaction. Our members and their pets visit hospitals, nursing homes, behavioral facilities, and rehabilitation centers. The visits are informal and help people who are away from home due to mental illness, physical illness or court order. A visit from a dog or cat can brighten the day and motivate them in their therapy or treatment.
Pets are used in conjunction with physical and occupational therapy sessions. They are paired with a client and a professional healthcare or human services professional who has a goal sheet for each visit. Tasks a pet can help achieve include gaining motion in limbs and fine motor control.
Nationally registered pet and owner therapy teams volunteer at schools and libraries as reading companions for children. This allows children to practice their reading skills in a safe space free of judgment and criticism.
Happy Tails therapy visits reduce stress and anxiety, support physical rehabilitation goals, and bring joy and connection to patients, students, families, and care teams.

HappyTails Celebrating 35 Years

Home Runs For Happy Tails

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Happy Tails Pet Therapy

Lisa Ribeiro

Candace Veteto

Happy Halloween from your not-so-spooky friends at Happy Tails Pet Therapy! 🎃👻

Happy National First Responders’ Day to all the local heroes that protect our communities every day. For the third year in a row, dozens of Happy Tails teams visited fire stations across the metro area to spread some joy through the human-animal bond and express our gratitude for their service. Scroll through to see an extra special therapy animal who participated in this event 🐰 @decaturgafire @dekalbcountyfirerescue @sandyspringsgafiredept @roswellgafire

We’re just a few days away from our 35th Anniversary Celebration and we have to show some love for our incredible sponsors! Thank you for supporting our mission, volunteers, and the amazing pets that make it all possible. If you want to party with us, you can still buy tickets! Link in bio @emoryhealthcare @childrensatl @pvopetcollective @westminsteratl

If you’re a Happy Tails duo that doesn’t wear matching tuxedo vests, are you even a Happy Tails duo? Rocky and @zippy_b_skippy looking stylish this evening at the @makeawishga Wish Ball! ❤️🖤

Buy your tickets now for our 35th Anniversary Celebration! Join us for an evening of food, fun, friends, and fundraising to support and honor our incredible volunteers and their pets who brighten lives every day. Link in bio!

Cute pets + a great cause = the easiest decision you’ll make today! 🗓️🐶🐱 Our Photo Calendar Contest is officially live! Each vote is only $1, and every single dollar goes directly toward funding Happy Tails’ animal-assisted therapy visits throughout Metro Atlanta. Scroll through to meet entrants 11-23 (in alphabetical order)! 👉 Click the link in bio to vote now! Lexi Maisy Mocha Obi Orion Otis Roosevelt Stella Tommy Topper Watson Xia Zippy

Thank you to the @rallyfoundation for having us out last week for your Gold Strong Fest! It was an honor to support your incredible cause- what a great way to kick off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Plus, we got to meet @freddie.falcon, superheroes, and of course some super kids 💛💛💛 #community #childhoodcancerawareness #helpingothers #dogs #love

Happy #nationaldogday from all of us at Happy Tails! Today, we’re celebrating our incredible team of therapy dogs, who pour their hearts into bringing comfort and joy to those who need it most. Thank you to our devoted pups and volunteers handlers for making the world a whole lot better, one visit at a time. Comment below with a shoutout to your favorite Happy Tails pup! 🐾❤️ #dogs #dogsofinstagram #cutedog #joy

Jolene and her @skylandtrail pals always brighten the day of the teens they visit with ❤️❤️❤️ 🐾Patata🐾 🐾Barkley🐾 🐾Lacey🐾 🐾Percival🐾

Today was pet/handler evaluations day which meant we got to welcome new members into our organization! Wondering what it takes for your pet to make a good therapy animal? Check our link in bio and sign up for our new member orientation! #volunteer #pet #dogsofinstagram #community

We had a BALL at the @gostripers Wet Nose Wednesday! Thank you to everyone who bought tickets and helped support the Happy Tails mission! ⚾️❤️

Okay... but which one is the superhero?? Palmer had a super day at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta library celebrating Super Heroes Day! He even got to meet Superman.. but we think Palmer’s superpower of spreading comfort and smiles gives him some pretty tough competition. 🐶 #PetTherapy #TherapyDog #ChildrensHealthcareOfAtlanta #DogsWithJobs #AtlantaDogs

One week left to purchase your @gostripers tickets and help support the Happy Tails mission! ⚾️$5 of every ticket sole through the link in our bio goes directly towards Happy Tails ⚾️it’s Wet Nose Wednesday so all dogs are welcome in the park! ⚾️visit with Happy Tails members and pups and learn how you can join our organization and make a difference!

Every patch on a therapy dog’s vest has a purpose. ❤️ Some introduce the dog by name. Others let people know it’s okay to say hello. Some represent certifications and achievements earned through months of training. Together, they tell the story of a dog that’s ready to bring comfort, smiles, and companionship wherever they’re needed. A special thank you to our member, Christy, for using one of her many talents to sew these patches onto our therapy teams’ vests, helping them look as professional as the work they do. Because every stitch supports a mission of making someone’s day a little brighter. 🐾 #HappyTailsPetTherapy #TherapyDog #Volunteer #DogsMakingADifference #PetTherapy

Happy 4th of July from our therapy dog team! 🇺🇸🐾 Wishing you a safe, happy holiday filled with family, friends, and plenty of smiles. ❤️🤍💙 #TherapyDogs #HappyFourth #FourthOfJuly #DogsofInstagram #SpreadKindness

Join us for a night at the ballpark and support the Happy Tails mission! Click link in bio to purchase tickets!

Congratulations to Happy Tails member Jon Golden (and his dog, Otis, of course) for being recognized as the Emory University Hospital’s June Volunteer Spotlight honoree! Here’s what Mia Ramirez with Volunteer Services had to say when nominating Jon: “Jon is an outstanding volunteer and team leader. He comes in every month and spreads joy around the hospital with his pups, Orion and Otis. Beyond his regular visits, Jon goes above and beyond to accommodate every special request from staff, there has never been a request he hasn’t found a way to fulfill. When Emory experienced a tragic event, Jon made sure his team was there to support staff within days, demonstrating his deep commitment to the Emory community.” @emoryuniversity @emoryhealthcare #volunteer #community #friend #givingback

Have you heard of READing Paws? 📚 One of the many things our therapy dogs do is help children become more confident readers. READing Paws pairs trained therapy dogs with young readers, giving kids a calm, judgment-free friend to read to as they build confidence and a love of books. Here’s Riley hard at work at the Alpharetta Library, listening to stories and making reading a little more fun. ❤️ #TherapyDog #READingPaws #LibraryDogs #AnimalAssistedTherapy #HappyTailsPetTherapy AlpharettaLibrary

Sometimes all it takes is a comforting paw and a few quiet moments together. ❤️ This weekend, Dixie brought comfort and companionship to members of our community receiving hospice care. Moments like these remind us that connection, kindness, and presence can make a meaningful difference. #HappyTailsPetTherapy #PetTherapy #CommunityCare #HospiceSupport #TherapyDogLove

🌈 Rest in Peace, Annie 🐾 For 11 years, Annie brought comfort, smiles, and companionship to countless people through her therapy work. From hospitals and nursing homes to classrooms and community events, her gentle presence made a difference in so many lives. Her dedication to the READing Paws program and the children at High Point Elementary is a testament to the special dog she was. Thank you for sharing your love with the world, Annie. Your pawprints will remain in the hearts of everyone you touched. ❤️ #TherapyDog #ReadingPaws #PetPartners #RainbowBridge #RunFreeAnnie

Lobo, Beale, and Sweezie were honored to spend time with Air Force cadets at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport before they headed to field training in Alabama. 🇺🇸🐾 A few tail wags, smiles, and moments of connection before the journey ahead. Wishing these future leaders all the best! #HappyTailsTherapyPets #TherapyDogs #AirForceCadets #USO #PetTherapy

Another school year in the books ❤️🐾 As the year comes to an end, our Happy Tails pups have to say “see you later” to so many special friends. We’re so grateful for all the smiles, hugs, and moments shared this year. Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We’ll miss you and can’t wait to see all the amazing things ahead for you! 🎓 #HappyTailsTherapyDogs #TherapyDogsInSchools #ClassOf2026 #SchoolTherapyDogs #SeeYouLaterFriends

A few therapy dogs, a lot of smiles, and a much-needed break during Stress Less Week 🐾❤️ The students at Westminster Middle School absolutely made our day. #TherapyDogs #StressLessWeek #PetTherapy #SchoolWellness #DogTherapy

We couldn’t think of a better place to spend Mother’s Day morning than @wellstarhealth North Fulton. Dolly (Parton) loved visiting the incredible staff, brand new moms, and families who make this place so special. From welcoming new babies into the world to caring for families through every stage, the warmth and compassion here never go unnoticed. 🐾💐 A little belated, but Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, moms-to-be, and healthcare workers who spent the day caring for others. 💕 #TherapyDog #WellstarNorthFulton #MothersDay #AtlantaDogs #TherapyDogsOfInstagram

Let’s hear it for our incredible teams serving all over the Atlanta area ❤️ From hospitals and schools to senior communities and workplaces, these pups and volunteers are spreading comfort, connection, and smiles everywhere they go. 🐾 Drop a 👏 for our teams #TherapyDogs #PetTherapy #AtlantaDogs #DogsMakingADifference #CommunityCare

Thank you @skylandtrail for having us out for another incredible #ArtsInTheGarden event! We love any opportunity to interact and share our pets with your amazing community ❤️

We’re still celebrating #nationaltherapyanimalday! Which Happy Tails pets can you spot in this video?

From hospitals to schools and everywhere in between… it’s the quiet moments, the calm, and the connection that matter most 🐾🤍 #TherapyAnimalDay #pettherapy #TherapyDogs #feelgoodmoments #happytails

This one’s for the teachers! 🍎🐾 Between lesson plans, long days, and everything in between… sometimes you just need this. Loved spending time at Virginia Highland Elementary. #VirginiaHighlandElementary #AtlantaTeachers #TherapyDogs #TeacherAppreciation #FeelGoodMoments

Windows down, ears in the wind… Bob is headed to his next very important job 🐾 #TherapyDog #DogReels #FeelGoodMoment #DogsOfInstagram #MakeADifference

A little break, a lot of smiles Therapy dogs (and Big Tony 🐱) making students’ day a little brighter. #Therapydogs #mentalhealthmatters #stressrelief #dogsofinstagram #pettherapy

Congrats to Millie on her first hospital visit 🎉 She and Wyatt made their rounds at Wellstar North Fulton and handled it like pros. Quiet moments, a few smiles, and exactly what these visits are all about. #TherapyDogs #HappyTails #PetTherapy #AtlantaDogs #HospitalVisit

ID check! 🐾 Therapy dog trading cards are officially a thing.. right? How many have you collected? Let us know in the comments! #therapydog #atlantadogs #dogsofinstagram #happytails #pettherapy

Thank you @horizontheatre for inviting us to be your show partner for the incredible production of “Dog Mom.” We will never pass up an opportunity to spread the word about the work we do, and we loved getting to meet the cast and crew. Any dog moms (and dads!) out there who haven’t seen this beautiful play, it’s running for another week so don’t miss your chance! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll want to hug your pups. Friends of Happy Tails, use the code HAPPY for a special discount! #theater #dogmom #arts #community #dogs

Happy tails or happy snoots? 🐾👃 We’re voting BOTH. Nothing beats a sunny day, a wagging tail, and a nose-first hello from your favorite therapy pups. These little moments bring big smiles—and we love getting to share them everywhere we go. Be honest… are you resisting the urge to boop? 👀 #TherapyDogs #DogsofInstagram #HappyTails #PetTherapy #boop

Had a great visit at Emory Hatchery 🐾 We loved spending time with CDC staff and supporting the important work they do every day. Grateful to be a small part of it. @emoryhatchery #TherapyDogs #AtlantaCommunity #PetTherapy #DogLoversATL #CommunityCare

Happy Easter from Happy Tails! 🐣🐇💐 Can you spot our therapy bunny?? 👀 #HappyTails #PetTherapy #TherapyAnimals #EasterVibes #dogsoﬁnstagram

We’re stepping up our visits by displaying our Happy Tails colors ❤️🖤🤍 Still the same gentle, loving pups—just with a little extra flair 🐾 April Fools! #pettherapy #aprilfools #therapydogs #atlantadogs #dogsofinstagram

Let’s hear it one more time for all of our incredible volunteers—both 2-legged and 4-legged—who showed up for the St. Patty’s Day parade 👏💚🐾 Events like this are more than just a fun day out… they give us the chance to share what we do, connect with the community, and spread a little extra comfort and joy to everyone we meet. Every smile, every conversation, every wag matters. We’re so grateful for each of you who give your time, energy, and heart to this work. You make Happy Tails what it is. 💚 #HappyTails #TherapyDogs #AtlantaEvents #CommunityImpact #StPatricksDay @atlstpats

☘️Happy St. Patrick’s Day friends!!! We had so much fun walking in the @atlstpats parade on Saturday. Always a wonderful traditional! Slainte! ☘️ #dogsofinstagram #celebration #community #friends #doglover

☘️ Did you guess it? Our therapy pets will be marching in the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade this weekend! Keep an eye out for wagging tails, happy volunteers, and lots of smiles. If you see us, come say hello! @atlstpats #Stpatricksday #stpatricksdayparade #pettherapy

The READing Paws team loved celebrating #readacrossamericaweek with the students at @ashfordparkelementary. They were welcomed with this lovely poster featuring Daisy Mae, Sweezie, and their friend Rocky! 📖❤️ #student #school #learning #dog

Think your dog, cat, or even rabbit has what it takes to become a therapy pet? The first step is completing our one-hour New Member Orientation — and we’re hosting one this Saturday! If you’ve ever wanted to share your pet’s calm, comfort, and joy with schools, hospitals, and our community, this is where it begins. Visit the link in our bio for full details and registration. We’d love to meet you and your future therapy star 🐾 #atlantatherapydogs #pettherapy #volunteerwithyourpet #communitycare #makingadifference

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