Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale

Pets on Wheels volunteers and their pets enhance the lives of the elderly and/or infirm by providing pet therapy visits to residents in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other care facilities.

Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale was founded in 1990 to enhance the lives of the elderly and/or infirm who reside in a health care facility. More than one million times (!!), our volunteers have asked a care center resident, "Would you like to pet my dog??"
Our dogs are household pets that make weekly visits with their owner to residents of these facilities. We are an all-volunteer organization (NO paid staff) that is supported entirely by donations.

In addition to visiting nursing homes, memory care communities, rehab facilities, and other care centers, Pet on Wheels volunteer teams also:
- visit patients at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center and Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center

- attend public events such as Senior Health Fairs, Pet Parades at care centers, Dogs in the Garden, college campus Stress Busters

Testimonials

Brianna - Activities Director, Senior Living Facility
"We have had the privilege of having Pets On Wheels come to our retirement community for the last few years. Our residents thoroughly enjoy seeing the kind dogs that come into their rooms and common areas for a visit. It's wonderful to see the faces of our residents brighten as they pet these beautiful animals. We are grateful for Pets on Wheels and the dedication of the volunteers and their animals!"

Suzanne - Bridge to Rediscovery Director, Senior Living Facility
"Our residents absolutely love our visitors from Pets on Wheels! Faces light up and hands are outstretched when they see their four-legged friends coming down the hall!"

Jo (volunteers with Goldendoodle Dexter) - Friendship Village
"Seeing a smile on a resident's face when we arrive is always nice. But to have a staff member in a memory care unit ask to video Dexter with a resident to show family members that she still shows true joy was priceless. I feel that I am the lucky one to be able to observe…even from a short distance."

Pamela (volunteers with Havanese Stanley) - HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn
"It's a privilege to bring joy to hospitalized patients, family members and staff in a very stressful and often sad setting. As the Swedish proverb says: 'Shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow.'"