Dogs With A Purpose connects certified therapy dog teams with people in our community who need comfort, companionship, and support. Founded in Cary, North Carolina, we take a hands-on approach, personally knowing and supporting every dog and handler in our organization. We’re bringing comfort one paw at a time!

Our Story

A group of smiling young women posing outdoors in a park with a happy golden retriever dog wearing a red bandana with a white logo. The background shows tall trees and other people.

A Message From Our Founder

Dogs With A Purpose was born out of a desire to encourage others and create a community of dogs and their owners who would strive to make a positive impact. "It is our passions that make us who we are, and pursuing them provides a purpose in life and the opportunity to connect with one another."  My passion has always centered upon forging authentic relationships with altruistic individuals, nurturing and learning alongside dogs, and striving to help the community.

For the last decade I have worked with others who have this same drive, training them and their K-9 partners on how to form a therapy dog team.  Countless dogs with an innate natural desire to comfort and a sense of knowing have passed through the program, going on to attend to the emotional needs of those who need encouragement and reinforcement most.  

The program bonds humans with their dogs in a unique way, as the pair pursue their passion to make a difference and make someones day better. Enabling others to enable the world. That is why I started Dogs With A Purpose.

 Jackie Kelly

Four children and a large golden retriever dog sitting on the floor in a computer classroom.

Benefits of Therapy Dogs

Mental Health & Emotional
Well-being: Therapy dogs are highly effective at combating acute stress, anxiety, and loneliness.

Anxiety Reduction: Hospitalized patients experience an average 34% reduction in anxiety after just a 15-minute session with a therapy dog.

A stylized digital illustration of a blue paw print inside a heart shape.
A stylized blue icon of a person with an abstract representation of a brain or thought cloud above their head.

Medical & Hospital Settings: Beyond emotional comfort, therapy dogs facilitate actual physical healing and clinical improvements.

Depression Relief: Interactions with a therapy dog have been shown to elevate serotonin levels by 17% in depressed individuals after 20 minutes, and decrease symptoms of depression by 24% in college students during intense periods like finals week.

Line drawing of a person standing next to a dog, with the words 'Dog Person' written above.

Combating Loneliness: In studies focusing on elderly nursing home residents, regular visits from therapy dogs decreased loneliness scores by 26% (measured on the UCLA Loneliness Scale).