From Creature Comfort Pet Therapy:

Creature Comfort Pet Therapy will be celebrating National Therapy Animal Day this Tuesday, April 30, 2024, on the lawn of the Vail Mansion, at 110 South St. in Morristown, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Every year Creature Comfort celebrates National Therapy Animal Day to honor the incredible impact that animals have on humans. This special day recognizes the healing power of animals in providing comfort and support to individuals in need.

From therapy animals comforting patients in hospitals, providing emotional support to individuals navigating health challenges, and helping younger children learn, animals play a vital role in improving the physical, emotional, and mental health of people across the country. Research has shown that interactions with animals can reduce stress, anxiety and feelings of loneliness, while promoting relaxation and a sense of well being.

Joan Baer and Annie Murphy co-founded Creature Comfort Pet Therapy in Morristown in 2011. Having done pet therapy with their own dogs, they knew the powerful impact that the animals had on the wellbeing of those in need. They wanted to make that available to many more people so they established, a nonprofit organization to certify teams of animals and their owners and to arrange therapy visits for them to do.

The organization has grown from a dozen therapy teams going to three facilities, to more than 275 teams doing visits at 300 facilities in nine counties.

It’s even expanded from just dogs to cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and even two mini-horses! Those visits touch more than 80,000 people a year. Creature Comfort Pet Therapy has become a premiere organization that will continue to grow and spread the mission of the living legacy of Joan Baer and Annie Murphy for years to come.

At 4 pm on Tuesday, state Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-25th Dist.) will present a Joint Legislative Resolution, and there will be a proclamation from the mayor of Morristown congratulating CCPT on our work in the community.

Co-founder Joan Baer passed away about a month ago. Her husband, Sandy, and daughter Alana and her family will be on hand to receive the resolution.