PAL harnesses the power of the human-animal bond to enrich people’s lives. It screens, trains, and registers volunteer therapy dog-handler teams who make more than 2,000 visits a year, serving 7,000 people monthly in the DC metro area. Therapy dog teams connect with older adults and veterans in senior housing and assisted-living facilities to reduce loneliness and promote wellbeing. Hospital frontline workers, police officers, and school staff take a joyful break at their workplaces while K-12 and college students receive mental health support on campus. Therapy dog teams complement health professionals’ therapeutic services for clients, including comforting hospice patients and their families. From providing safe spaces for families in crisis to building children’s confidence by listening to them read without judgment, PAL’s therapy doghandler teams strengthen our communities.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 3

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-Loudoun County; VA-Prince William County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Fairfax; VA-City of Falls Church

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students; Veterans/Military Families

Schools They Work In: A. Mario Loiederman Middle School; Bannockburn Elementary School; Bethesda Elementary School; Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School; Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School; Damascus High School; Grace Episcopal Day School; Jones Lane Elementary School; Kingsview Middle School; Magruder High School; Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy; North Chevy Chase Elementary School; Northwest High School; Poolesville High School; Regional Institute for Children & Adolescents; Rock Creek Valley Elementary School; Seneca Valley High School; South Lake Elementary School; Watkins Mill High School; White Oak Middle School; University of Maryland; Center City PCS (Brightwood); DC International School; John Francis Education Campus; Model Secondary School for the Deaf; Walker Jones Elementary School; Wheatley Education Campus ; Gallaudet University; The George Washington University; University of the District of Columbia; Bishop O'Connell High School; Hayfield Elementary School; Langley High School; Lyles Crouch Traditional Academy; McLean High School; Quander Road School; Samuel Tucker Elementary School; Sunrise Valley Elementary School; Thomas Jefferson High School; Waynewood Elementary School; West Potomac High School; West Springfield High School; Woodburn Elementary School; Marymount University; Northern Virginia Community College (MEC)


  • Number of people (clients, patrons, students, etc) we serve annually:   70,000
  • Number of volunteers who work with us annually:   160
  • Number of unique therapy dog visits conducted annually:   2,300
  • Number of hours of volunteer work we record annually:   6,000

Awards & Recognition

Carpenter's Shelter named PAL to its' 2025 Wall of Honor

“Community Choice Award” at the Catalogue for Philanthropy’s 2022 Community Changemakers event, where local community members voted for PAL as one of their favorite nonprofit organizations.

Press

Budget (FY2026)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • The current budget for People Animals Love is: Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Every year, 190+ local nonprofits (with budgets under $4M) apply to join the Spur Local network. 170+ community volunteers assess these applications for impact. 100% of organizations are site visited and financially reviewed. Finally, 76+ critical, local nonprofits are selected for inclusion in Spur Local's annual print and digital catalog, and enter a four-year partnership with us. Since 2003, we have raised over $65 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region. We charge no fees and raise funds separately to support our work.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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