Our programs...
We regularly visit over 100 area facilities and organizations in our service area of Dauphin, Eastern Cumberland, Eastern Perry, Lebanon, Northern York and Northwestern Lancaster Counties in South Central Pennsylvania. Too numerous to list them all but we highlight a few below:
Military and Veteran related including the Lebanon VA Medical Center in Lebanon, PA & Lebanon VA Clinic, Mechanicsburg, PA
Hospitals, Rehabilitation Hospitals and Medical Centers including Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Rehabilitation Hospital and UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg Campus.
Nursing homes, retirement communities and special needs adult programs: many locations in our service area.
Libraries including East Shore Area Library, Elizabethville Library, Hershey Library, Kline Branch Library, Middletown Library, New Cumberland Library, Red Land Library and Joseph T. Simpson Library.
Schools: 15 elementary schools, high schools and colleges/universities.
Youth Programs including Area M Special Olympic Games, Summer Camps and York Youth Development Center.
Other: court related, hospice organizations, adult drug & alcohol treatment programs and other special programs.
Please note, we do not visit private residences.
Special programs:
Courtroom Program
We work closely with the Dauphin County Victim/Witness Assistance Program and the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office to assist victims of crime through the legal process. In addition, our volunteer/pet teams visit Dauphin County Children & Youth.
“Paws for Heroes”
Our “Paws for Heroes” Program is dedicated to providing pet therapy to members of the military (active & veterans) and first responders including police and fire departments.
Ronald McDonald House, Hershey
We have over 50 volunteer/pet teams regularly visit the families and children staying at the House. Just about every Sunday through Friday evening each month you can find a couple of Caring Hearts volunteer/pet therapy teams visiting.
“Tales for T.A.I.L.S.”
Our “Tales for T.A.I.L.S.” (Therapy Animals Increase Literacy Skills) Program is an effective and fun way to improve children’s reading and communication skills through the assistance of our registered pet therapy teams as literacy mentors. The child reads to the pet as the pet quietly sits or lays close by. The child is encouraged to pet, engage and connect with the pet.
Our registered and experienced pets can be ideal reading companions because they help increase relaxation and lower blood pressure. Unlike peers, pets are attentive listeners, they don’t judge or criticize, so children are more comfortable and inclined to forget about their own fears. It can enhance a child’s love of reading! A great foundation for a lifetime of learning.
