ARF! (Animals + Reading = Fun!)
Available in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
ARF! is an innovative literacy program that gives students an opportunity to improve their reading skills and inspire them to become life-long readers by reading aloud to specially trained therapy dogs. Reading to therapy dogs has numerous therapeutic benefits for children. Interacting with a nonjudgmental and attentive companion like a therapy dog can create a safe and comfortable environment for young readers. The presence of a dog can help reduce anxiety, boost self-esteem, and increase confidence in struggling readers. Moreover, the calming effect of petting or being near a therapy dog can promote relaxation and decrease stress levels.
CURRENT ARF! PARTNERS:
Aliso Elementary School
Canalino Elementary School
Harding Elementary School
McKinley Elementary School
Oak Valley Elementary School
Solvang Library
Carpinteria Library
To request ARF! at your school or organization, send us a message through our Contact Page.
Our Carpinteria ARF! Programs are sponsored by Agilent Technologies, headquartered in Carpinteria and dedicated to supporting their community.
Wag Well Mindfulness Program
Available in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
Mental health and wellness is of utmost importance in today’s uncertain world and combining Mindfulness, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and self-care practices with the unconditional love of a therapy dog is a unique and beautiful gift we can give our children to help them navigate the world with clarity, compassion and peace, and empower them to create a kinder and brighter future for all.
Since launching Wag Well in 2018, our instructors have taught more than 3,000 youngsters and their teachers the skills needed to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and increase focus and resilience.
To learn more about Wag Well, please click HERE.
CURRENT WAG WELL PARTNERS:
Adelante Charter School, Santa Barbara
Aliso School, Carpinteria
Canalino School, Carpinteria
Harding School, Santa Barbara
Therapy Dog Visits
Available in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
The presence of a therapy dog has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and elevate mood. Therapy dogs also offer emotional support and companionship, helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness or depression. Moreover, these visits help to lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as stimulate the release of endorphins, contributing to overall physical and mental well-being. Our therapy dogs have a remarkable ability to uplift spirits and bring smiles and joy to the young and young-at-heart!
CURRENT PARTNER LOCATIONS:
SCHOOLS: Aliso Elementary School, Canalino Elementary School, Dos Pueblos High School, Harding Elementary School, Oak Valley Elementary School, San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara High School, Santa Ynez High School, Solvang Elementary School, The Oaks Parent-Child Workshop, UC Santa Barbara, Colleges of Law-Ventura
SENIOR CARE FACILITIES: Casa Dorinda, Westmont Assisted Living, Maravilla Senior Residence, VNA – Serenity House, Tree of Life Retirement Community, Valle Verde
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS: Elings Park, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, Montecito YMCA, 4 Kids 2 Kids
COMMUNITY LOCATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS: MOXI Children’s Museum, Santa Barbara Airport, Santa Barbara Jail, Transition House
To schedule a therapy dog visit at your school or organization, please fill out the form on our Contact Us page.
Santa Barbara Airport Therapy Dog Program
Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara has partnered with the Santa Barbara Airport to bring our certified pups to their terminals. Travelers can find our teams wandering through both floors of the Airport, visiting with passengers and staff. Visits vary depending on months and days of the week. We have 15 teams with TSA clearance and are available in the areas past security. Other volunteer teams are on the ground floor greeting travelers and commuters as they arrive and depart the airport.
This program is proudly sponsored by Ramsey Asphalt of the Central Coast and Sunseri Construction of California. Both companies are dedicated to supporting their community through philanthropy.
PAWSitive Moments Program
Therapy dog visits bringing connection, calm, and joy to senior care communities.
Available in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
PAWSitive Moments is a therapy dog visitation program designed to support the emotional well-being of older adults in senior living and care facilities. Through gentle, one-on-one and small-group interactions, trained therapy dog teams offer companionship, comfort, and meaningful moments of connection that help reduce feelings of isolation, anxiety, and loneliness.
These visits provide residents with opportunities for engagement, emotional support, and simple joy, while fostering a calm and welcoming environment. PAWSitive Moments reflects our commitment to enhancing quality of life and promoting mental and emotional wellness through the healing power of the human–animal bond.
CURRENT SENIOR CARE FACILITY PARTNERS:
Abundant Care Assisted Living, Arosa Home Care, Atterdag Village, Casa Dorinda, Samarkand Retirement Community, Solvang Senior Center, VNA-Serenity House, Westmont Living of Santa Barbara and private visits to home-bound seniors.
To schedule a therapy dog visit, please fill out the form on our Contact Us page.
Our Senior Care Therapy Dog Program is funded through the generous partnership with Casa Dorinda and grants from The Hildegard Balin Trust, The St. Francis Foundation and the Santa Barbara Foundation Senior Programs Fund.
Santa Barbara County Jail Partnership
We offer three visits per month to the Santa Barbara County Jail, working with both the state-funded Jail-Based Competency Treatment Program and the Behavioral Health Unit. Teams visit with inmates and staff during these one-hour visits. It has been overwhelmingly successful, providing love and hope to these individuals during a stressful time in their lives. The visits to the Behavioral Health units are made possible with the support from a private foundation supporting inmate rehabilitation.
Ventura County Behavioral Health Unit Visits
Therapy Dogs of America is proud to partner with Ventura County Behavioral Health to bring therapy dog teams into group clinic settings, supporting individuals through comfort, connection, and emotional support.
Clinics have reported increased attendance and engagement during sessions with therapy dog visits, as participants feel more at ease and connected. The presence of our trained teams helps create a welcoming environment that encourages participation and supports positive group dynamics.
In July 2026 expanded this program by increasing the number of sessions supported, allowing us to reach more individuals and deepen our impact across Ventura County. This partnership is fully funded through a state wellness initiative – Mental Health Services Act and Substance Use Services Act.
Sound Bath Experiences
Available in person throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, or virtually anywhere in the U.S.
Whether you’re feeling stressed, curious about sound healing, or simply looking for a peaceful way to end your week, a Sound Bath Experience offers a gentle opportunity to relax, recharge, and reconnect with yourself.
Karen Lee Stevens, Director of Wellness Programs for Therapy Dogs of America and a Certified Sound Healer, is pleased to offer Sound Bath Experiences on a donation basis. Relax as the gentle vibrations of crystal singing bowls, chimes, drums, and tuning forks wash over you, creating a calming and restorative experience. This soothing symphony of sound can help quiet a busy mind, reduce stress, and leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.
Praise for Karen’s Sound Baths
“Karen creates such a welcoming and calming space through her sound bath experience. She invites everyone to slow down, breathe deeply, and simply be present. I left feeling lighter, more centered, and so grateful for the peaceful experience she created.” — Steven Kubes, Business Broker, BizDepot, Ventura County, CA
“Thank you for giving our kids a moment of tranquility and peace with all the mindfulness activities you do with them. It was really beautiful to see their little faces during the sound bath section. They were completely attentive to the sounds of all the instruments.” —Mayetzi Uturdide, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Santa Barbara, CA
“I find Karen’s sound baths so clearing and enjoyable! People would be lucky to experience one of her sessions! “– Aja Forner, Program Manager, Therapy Dogs of America, Carpinteria, CA
“I loved the enthusiasm from the attendees! It was a very nice program to witness, and thank you for helping us hold our first sound bath for families!” –Lindsey Halfen, Children’s Librarian, Camarillo Library, Camarillo, CA
Ready to Experience a Sound Bath?
To learn more or register for an upcoming class, email Karen at karen@therapydogssb.org. All donations from our Sound Bath Experiences directly support the programs of Therapy Dogs of America.
Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
and all donations are tax-deductible.
Please consider making a DONATION today
and thank you for your support!