What We Do

Pets for Patients works to bring hope and healing to people by connecting them with a rescue pet.

Pets for Patients’ all-volunteer team accepts referrals from Cincinnati’s Children Hospital to connect with families of chronically-ill children who are in need of the hope and healing provided by a rescue animal, but don’t have the knowledge of the process, or time to find a companion. One hundred percent of our funding is used to implement our services to patients and rescue pets.

Our Process

1. Cincinnati Children’s medical and social service teams refer patients to our organization.

2. We then spend time learning and understanding the wants, needs, and realities of every family to match them with the perfect rescue animal.

3. Once a family’s needs are understood, Pets for Patients locates a suitable rescue pet.

4. Pets for Patients manages the entire rescue process with the agencies, transports the pets to have them thoroughly screened for temperament and health issues, and ensures the animal has the appropriate obedience training.

5. Additionally, we continue to work with families after the transition is complete to provide help with pet care, understanding basics in obedience training, and assistance as needed as the patient works through their illness.

*We specialize in pets and family dogs. We do not offer therapy or service animals. We do not provide certifications such ESA, obedience or comfort certifications. Read our FAQ here.