PALS was founded in 1990 by two Atlanta residents - Dr. Susan Wynn, a veterinarian, and Dr. Margaret Schulte, an educator who met while volunteering for DeKalb Humane Society. The two recognized the hardships of those living with HIV/AIDS, which most of the time included giving up their pets. With strong beliefs in the importance of human-animal bonding, especially for those living with HIV/AIDS, they decided to address the hardships they were witness to at the human society.