PAL: People Animals Love - Bringing people and animals together, brightening the lives of the lonely, easing the pain of the sick and enriching the world of at-risk children.

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PAL was organized in 1981 by Dr. Earl Strimple, a Washington, D.C. veterinarian. Working with a grant from the Charles Engelhard Foundation, Dr. Strimple founded PAL to bring animals to the lonely and socially isolated. PAL's pilot program was with the St. Francis Center, where it brought pets into the lives of the newly bereaved. Both Dr. Strimple and St. Francis founder, Rev. William Wendt, had witnessed the remarkable positive effects pets had on people who were coping with the loss of a loved one. Since 1982, PAL has been a separate charitable organization pioneering in the practical application and education of pet therapy in the Washington metropolitan area.

Pet Visiting

There are doctors, nurses, pharmacists. Then there are the specialists.

Despite the best doctors and the best healthcare, people need something beyond what pills and procedures can provide. PAL teams- made up of a PAL volunteer and a PAL pet- bring the comfort, companionship and unconditional love that only an animal can administer. The bond a person creates with a furry friend decreases blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride levels and loneliness.

In 2008, 200+ PAL certified volunteer teams visited 24 sites -- nursing homes, children's hospitals, and other facilities -- bringing comfort to thousands of people who benefit from the unconditional love and companionship of a PAL pet. More than 10,000 contacts at the following institutions throughout the Washington DC Metropolitan area (if you drop by one of these places you might see a PAL dog in action):

Arleigh Burke Pavilion Nursing and Assisted Living / Armed Forces Retirement Home / Episcopal Center for Children / Goodwin House West / Grand Oaks / INOVA Fairfax Hospital / IONA Senior Services / Knollwood Retirement Home / Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Retirement Home / National Rehabilitation Hospital / Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute / Potomac Behavioral Health / Sibley Hospital Center / Stoddard Baptist Home / St Mary's Court

/ Veterans Administration Medical Center / The Washington Home / Pohick Regional Library

PAL After-School Club

There are the doctors, nurses, pharmacists. Then there are the specialists.

The PAL program promotes the human/animal bond through care of classroom pets, using a science-based curriculum built around the animal kingdom to improve critical thinking and observation skills. Participants benefit from the hands-on contact with the animals, and learn nurturing behaviors through the care and feeding of the "pocket pets." The living classroom houses rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, lizards and a hamster. Most children choose one animal as their favorite and form a close bond with that animal.

Each PAL After-School Club session begins with the PAL Pledge:

"On my honor, I promise to respect and defend the value of all living things; to be a caretaker for the creatures of the world, both great and small; and to live my life positively, humanely, and compassionately."

The science-based activities are lots of fun for the children. Activities are geared to improve their report card grades and the science portion of the Stanford 9 exam. Another important component to PAL After-School Club is the field trips. Trips to the National Zoo, nature centers, and regional parks provide new and interesting experiences. From the wildly exotic to the tamest of animals, children learn about the natural world.

PAL After-School Club provides a safe environment for children who live in under-resourced communities at no cost to their families. We believe the values instilled and the time and funds invested in our children- at-risk programs are an investment in the future for all of us.

PAL Camp

PAL Summer Camp gives young inner-city children a chance to learn about and take care of a wide variety of pets on a daily basis for seven weeks under the guidance of caring staff. The pets, in turn, give the youngsters a potent combination of unconditional love, contact comfort, a chance to be needed and a sense of belonging. Lots of field trips and unique experiences teach new skills--from scientific observation to responsible caretaking--all of which help build self-confidence and instill a reverence for life. Our curricula are science-based and designed to be interactive and fun.

Pet Loss Hotline

PAL offers help for people coping with the loss of a beloved companion animal. Our hotline connects you to a professional who specializes in grief to talk to you about your loss.

Call the Pet Loss Hotline, 202-966-2171, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm

History

Dr. Earl Strimple, a Washington, D.C. veterinarian, saw the impact the bond between animals and humans had on the lives of the families he served. In 1981, he founded PAL to explore other ways that society could benefit from this bond.

PAL's pilot program was with the St. Francis Center, where pets brought comfort to the newly bereaved. St. Francis founder, Rev. William Wendt, like Dr. Strimple, had witnessed the remarkable ability of pets on people grieving the loss of a loved one. This effort expanded into the PAL Pet Visit Program which exists today. Another early effort included a program at Lorton prison; where caring for cats helped bring healing to offenders. This led to the PAL Club and summer Camp program for children, which continues today.