SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program

This week kicked off the 1st session of Safety Town 2026, sponsored by the Barrington Junior Women's Club - BJWC.

We are honored to be invited to share our therapy dogs and talk about pet safety. Registered therapy dogs Betty and Schatzi loved meeting everyone as the kids learned about all kinds of animal safety, including wildlife and being around animals with hooves like our miniature horses and donkeys. After the group presentation, Paula and Kathy demonstrated PAWS and the kids broke into small groups to each practice PAWS with Schatzi and Betty.

Pause in front of the dog
Ask if they could meet/pet the dog
Wait to see if Kathy & Paula said yes
Let the dog Sniff their hand before Petting

Each child received a SOUL Harbour Ranch coloring books and crayons. The coloring books are a HUGE hit, as the kids colored pages of ALL of our therapy animals. Our thanks to BJWC who gave us a grant for the books and crayons.

Despite the gentle rain this morning, Stitch & Garth still received some great grooming by our volunteers! Meanwhile, the minis decided it was best to stay inside & keep dry lol.

Happy 6th Birthday to beautiful therapy dog Honey! She and her mom Gail Gersh are one of our fabulous registered Pet Partners therapy dog teams. Honey is SO kind, with a quiet healing energy about her. School, library and hospice visits are some of her favorites! Happy birthday sweet girl!

First time visit to students at Juliette Low Extended School Year did not disappoint. Pet Partners Registered therapy dogs Annie, Gracie and Peaches had a ball meeting over 70 students and staff. There were lots of belly rubs, hugs and pleas to come back. Not sure who enjoyed it more. Thank you for the invite!

We are so sad to hear of the passing of sweet Izzy 🌈 🐶🐾 She was a much beloved therapy dog in our program and became a registered Pet Partners team with our mother-daughter volunteers Vicki Molbeck & Camryn Molbeck in 2022. She was one of our many “white floofs,” a Great Pyrenees mix, with one blue eye and one brown eye (heterochromia), and such an amazing therapy dog!
Izzy was very calm and loved being the monthly “Read with Me” dog at Sunny Hill School. In fact, her last visit, the day she retired, was just month, May 8. It was such a bittersweet visit for everyone since they knew it was her last visit. The cancer in her jaw was inoperable and at only 10 years old, she received her angel wings today, joining her sister Bella in Heaven.
Her brother Hero, our 2025 “Puppies with a Purpose” therapy dog in training, now owned and loved by the Molbeck family, has some big paws to fill. Izzy showed him the ropes and as Hero’s mentor, he learned from the best.
We miss you sweet girl and know how much joy and healing you brought to so many. R.I.P. 6/24/26

The rest of the herd had their teeth done today. Thank you, Dr., Rice, and Team for taking such good care. Bugsy had a gap filled, which is the equivalent of something like a bridge.

Thank you Oakwood Forge for the pedi’s the rest of the herd had today. The horses loved how great you are with them Colin and Victoria and the pigs hope you enjoyed the concert.