Where it began.

Pets for Patients started when Carol connected with the neuro-oncology team at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. 

As part of family centered care at CCHMC, attending to medical needs goes hand in hand with the psychosocial challenges. The dedicated staff had begun to notice that many times when a child and their family face an oncology diagnosis there is a canine or feline member of the family that plays a central role in providing care. The team had two families in search of a pet: for one, the family dog had just passed away; for the other, the family simply couldn't afford a pet in addition to treatment. The oncology team investigated therapy dogs for each of these patients, but the extensive fund-raising, family training and long waiting lists made accomplishing this task in a timely way impossible. For the families, a therapy dog felt like an immense undertaking during a critical time in their child’s illness. After arriving at this conclusion, the team connected with Carol. 

She assessed the patient and the family, matched an appropriate dog, arranged for any medical needs, secured food, toys, beds etc. – took care of all needs. In the end, the patients and families expressed that they not only felt they received a gift, but they knew that they had rescued a dog. Within the community of a family, hospital and Carol a wonderful collaboration began.

One pet led to another, and in 2016 Pets for Patients officially became a nonprofit.

Our Board

Carol Bonner

Founder & President

Carol is a lifelong animal lover. At 15, she qualified and showed her Great Dane, Lady, at the Westminster Dog Show. She co-chaired the 2015  and chaired the 2016 SPCA Fur Ball, and has previously volunteered with Pets In Need. Carol is also a former Zoofari committee member and a retired member of Clifton Kindervelt. Today, she and husband Paul share their Clifton home with their rescue dog, Duke, and two rescue cats, Pippa and Wally. 

Alicia Noschang

Founding Board Member

Alicia is a renowned dog trainer in the greater Cincinnati area. For years she has been the anchor of Pets for Patients and oversees all pet adoptions to ensure each pet is temperament tested and given basic training to meet the needs of our patients and families. Outside of her work with Pets for Patients, Alicia is also passionate about senior dog rescue and advocacy for all animals. Alicia has also received awards from Cancer Family Cares and Grrand Rescue for her work and advocacy.

Chris Plecha, M.D.

Founding Board Member

Advisory Board

Our Volunteers

Awards & Grants

Pets for Patients is honored to be nominated and to have a received a number of awards and grants. With the generous support and recognition from other organizations, we are able to continue our mission of providing love, hope and healing.

2021, Cancer Family Cares Unsung Hero Award

2020, Frances Pavey Foundation

2018, 2019, 2020, Magnified Giving Grants

2019, SVP Cincinnati Fast Pitch Finalist

2018, greater cincinnati foundation grant

2018, Cincinnati museum center difference maker non-profit finalist (watch video)

2018, Madtree charity of the month

2017, Brooks brothers golden fleece foundation grant

2017, cancer family care’s joslin haggart yeiser unsung hero award

Our Partners

Pets for Patients is honored to work with a wide variety of businesses, organizations and individuals across the greater Cincinnati area.

To view our full list of partners please click here.