Special thanks to Falconridge Equine Rescue, who once a month pays a pet therapy visit to the facilities the Escondido Humane Society Education Department works with.
In addition to our youth programs, including summer camps, classroom visits and community youth groups, the Escondido Humane Society also offers programs for adults, including educational classes and pet therapy.
Pet Therapy
Pet Education Program
Our humane educators will bring three or four small animals for a 45-minute visit. All residents are seated in one room and get to meet and greet these gentle and comforting animals. Some possible animals might be rabbits, birds, hamsters or guinea pigs. We can even bring more exotic animals, such as snakes, lizards or rats.
For more information about our pet therapy and pet education programs, please call Ina Shookhoff, Director of Education, at (760) 888-2261.
Our Pet Therapy program enriches the lives of those who need it the most. A humane educator brings a therapy dog to visit with the elderly and infirm. Going from room to room, the patients get to stroke and pet the dog. Wonderful things happen as the patients caress the soft fur. Often, memories are stirred of pets in their past.
In addition to the benefits of the heart, independent studies have shown that pet therapy lowers blood pressure, improves patient morale, and even reduces requests for pain medication.
Adult Programs
Escondido Humane Society | 3450 East Valley Parkway, Escondido CA 92027 | (760) 888 - BARK (2275)
Adoption Center open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week | Animal Control open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week
