Paws for Patrick

Paws for Patrick improves the mental health of young people nationally through the comfort and connection of animals.

Welcome to Paws for Patrick, a nonprofit dedicated to improving youth mental health through the companionship of supportive animals. Inspired by Patrick’s legacy, we connect young people living with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges with the comforting presence of animals.

Our mission started as a heartfelt tribute to a beloved family and has grown into a national movement with three key programs:

• Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Program: We help families navigate and fund the process of obtaining ESA letters, adopting supportive animals, and ensuring they receive the right training, all focused on providing crucial mental health support.
• Therapy Dog Program: Our trained volunteer handler teams visit schools, mental health facilities, and community centers, offering warmth and connection through the presence of therapy dogs.
• Facility Dog Program: We place highly skilled dogs in schools and therapeutic settings, providing ongoing support to young people every day.
• At Paws for Patrick, we believe connection can save lives. Every ESA match we support, each therapy dog visit, and every comforting moment reinforce the idea that no one should face their mental health challenges alone. Together, we’re building a compassionate world driven by love, understanding, and empathy- one animal at a time. Join us in continuing Patrick’s legacy.
• Help us bring hope, comfort, and healing to those who need it most, and become part of a community where mental health support is accessible to everyone.