About Us
Mission

TheraPets of Indiana is a non-profit corporation formed to provide animal-assisted therapy and activities in hospitals, nursing homes, school and home settings.  Currently, TheraPets is most active with St. Vincent Hospital, in Indianapolis, where the dogs are on-call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  Visitations are done in a way that increases emotional well being, promotes healing and improves the quality of life for patients as well as the staff that cares for them.

Our Goals

• Provide emotional, mental and physical support and comfort to people of all ages through animal-assisted therapy and interaction;
• Promote the future study of, and research in animal-assisted therapy and activities;
• Educate the public through seminars, lectures and publications about the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.

History

TheraPets of Indiana, Inc. was founded in 2004 by Darlene Gosnell, of Fishers, Indiana.  As a car accident survivor whose own recovery was aided by a Cairn Terrier, Darlene knows first-hand the benefits of pets interacting with patients.  She formed TheraPets of Indiana to ensure that a therapy pet would be available at all times for anyone in need. What Darlene started with one special Cairn named Molly has now become an organization of 17 dogs, a dynamic Board of Directors and countless volunteers.