Eight Years of Growth, Impact & Joy
Isay it every year, but it is so true — fall is my favorite season. The days grow shorter, the air feels crisp, and gratitude seems to come more easily. It’s the perfect time to take your dog for a walk and soak in the sunshine!
Hand in Paw wrapped up another summer filled with meaningful therapy visits from our all-volunteer Therapy Teams. Now it’s backto-school season, which means literacy visits through Sit, Stay, Read! as well as School’s Best Friend visits in Life Skills and Special Needs classrooms. With ongoing funding challenges in education, our work is more important than ever. And beyond schools, our Therapy Teams continue to bring comfort and joy to universities, hospitals, senior communities, businesses, courts, first responders, and community events.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for Picasso Pets. This year’s superhero theme — and the majestic presence of our Face of Picasso, Boo Jolly — made it unforgettable. Together, we raised vital funds to ensure our services remain free for those who need them most. We also celebrated the impact of our work at the Renal Care Center at Children’s of Alabama, where Katie and Dr. Jim Lasker presented the
Tweety Lasker Award. I encourage you to visit our website and watch the moving video featuring Therapy Team Paul and Macey— your generosity makes moments like this possible.
Our special thanks to VP Funds — with the elevated virtues of Kindness, Consideration and Common Sense — for being our Presenting Sponsor four years in a row. Tito’s Vodka stood up for us once again as our Stage Sponsor. We are so very grateful for these partnerships. Thank you to all our sponsors for supporting our work in our community. You can help us too: Join The Pack with a recurring donation...just $10 a month makes a huge difference!
This October marks my eighth year as Executive Director of Hand in Paw. It is an honor to serve alongside our dedicated staff, board, and incredible volunteers. More than ever, I believe in our mission: to improve human health and well-being through Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Join Hand in Paw on Saturday, October 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company for Barktoberfest! This Oktoberfestinspired evening features costume contests for people and pets, a stein-hoist challenge, local vendors, and a festive photo booth.
A suggested $30 donation unlocks entry into the fun, with all proceeds supporting Hand in Paw’s Animal-Assisted Therapy programs. Come raise a glass, show off your best costumes, and celebrate fall with friends, two- and four-legged alike!
Margaret Stinnett Executive Director
Sit, Stay, Read! Inspires Young Minds and Wagging Tails
Therapy Teams are back at work in schools throughout Central Alabama
The 2025-26 school year is well underway, which means Hand in Paw Therapy Teams are once again heading into classrooms with an extra-special mission: helping children discover the joy of reading through our Sit, Stay, Read! program.
Each week, students are paired with a Therapy Team who listens patiently as they read aloud. The simple presence of a calm, friendly animal creates a safe space where children gain confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and, most importantly, learn that reading can be fun.
Ashley Mason, who volunteers with her dog, Abby, said, “Sit, Stay, Read! has brought me so much joy. Watching students progress in their reading throughout the year, seeing some overcome their fear of dogs and begin to love them, building bonds between students and the dogs, and witnessing a child completely light up just by being near them...it’s all been such a gift.”
“Watching students progress in their reading throughout the year, seeing some overcome their fear of dogs and begin to love them...it’s all been such a gift.”
—Ashley Mason, Volunteer
Stephanie Stoltzner, Hand in Paw’s Volunteer and Programs Director, agrees. “Sit, Stay, Read! is one of our most beloved programs because it nurtures both academic and emotional growth.”
“Students in the program feel encouraged and more confident, often forming meaningful, lasting connections with Therapy Teams,”
Stoltzner explains. “Together we create a positive learning environment that extends far beyond the classroom.”
This fall, Sit, Stay, Read! Teams return to classrooms across Central Alabama and Tuscaloosa, each visit sparking smiles, turning pages, and inspiring young readers to keep learning..
“I have stories that still bring tears to my eyes as I share them,” Ashley says.
To learn more about Sit, Stay, Read! visit at handinpaw.org/programs
Therapy Team Carol and Maggie on a Sit, Stay, Read! visit in Tuscaloosa
Abby Mason pretends to be shy during a Sit, Stay, Read! visit.
A student reads to Francie Carlisle at Crestline Elementary.
Missed the fun? See photos from Picasso Pets 2025 at handinpaw.org/picassopics
Heroes Unite: Picasso Pets 2025 Raises Over $370,000!
The Superhero-themed gala and live auction broke attendance and fundraising records!
Picasso Pets 2025, presented by VP Funds, was a memorable evening at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum on Saturday, August 23. With your help, we welcomed over 350 guests and raised more than $370,000 to fuel our mission.
Guests gathered in Superhero Chic style to celebrate the extraordinary bond between people and animals — and to support Hand in Paw’s mission of improving health and well-being through Animal-Assisted Therapy. The evening began with a VIP Experience featuring signature Tito’s cocktails, wine,
hors d’oeuvres, and an early unveiling of this year’s pet-inspired artworks. The main event included a vintage photo booth, the Sandra Storm Wine Pull, a silent auction full of unique items and luxury getaways, and opportunities to meet Hand in Paw Therapy Teams.
After the silent auction closed, guests enjoyed a seated dinner and program highlighting our mission. The live auction featured rare packages like a trip to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City and the chance to make a beloved pet the Face of Picasso Pets 2026.
We also presented the Tweety Lasker Award to the Renal Care Center at Children’s of Alabama, for their outstanding collaboration with Hand in Paw as a Program Partner. We presented the Margaret Davis Volunteer Service Award to Karen Ford for her exceptional service as a Hand in Paw Therapy Team handler.
Go ahead and mark your calendars for the 25th Annual Picasso Pets on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum! This is one event you will not want to miss!
Picasso Pets was made possible by our incredible sponsors: VPFunds, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Kay Aldridge, Hot & Hot Fish Club, Cameron & Scott Vowell, Katie and Dr. Jim Lasker, John 3:16, Land Rover Birmingham, Fi Plan Partners, Creative Dog, Medical Properties Trust, Poarch Creek Indians, UAB Medicine, George W. Barber Jr. Foundation, Jennifer Bates, Altec, Encompass Health, Rosemary & Greg Greaves, Lynn & Benny LaRussa, Dr. Susan & Rick Nelms, Pinnacle, Protective, Southern Company, Southern Power, Grain & Leaf Bottle Shop, BhamNow, Over the Mountain Journal, Louise & Jim Abroms, Alabama Veterinary Medical Foundation, Children’s of Alabama, Dogtopia, Hospice of West Alabama, Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, Rosen Harwood, Urgent Vet Hoover, Big Dog Ranch, and Kim & Peter Weinheimer.
Hand in Paw Welcomes New Program Partner Baptist Health
The collaboration expands access to our Animal-Assisted Therapy programs
Hand in Paw is proud to announce a new partnership with Baptist Health, expanding our Animal-Assisted Therapy programs across Central Alabama. In August, we launched Wags for Wellness at Baptist Health Princeton Hospital, with plans to extend soon to Brookwood and Shelby campuses.
Wags for Wellness is designed for high-stress workplaces, from hospitals and schools to fire stations, police departments, and corporate offices. Our Therapy Teams bring comfort, reduce stress, and lift morale, helping employees feel supported and recharged.
“Healthcare workers give so much of themselves,” said Stephanie Stoltzner, HIP’s Director of Volunteers and Programs. “Through this partnership, we are caring for the caregivers — with comfort, joy, and a little unconditional love.”
Baptist Health now joins more than 100 hospitals, schools, universities, and service organizations partnering with HIP to provide Animal-Assisted Therapy free of charge to those who need it most.
PICASSO PETS
Two Ways to Support Healing Through Hand in Paw
Every wagging tail and every Therapy Team visit is made possible by generous supporters like you. As the holidays approach, there are two meaningful ways you can help sustain our mission of improving health and well-being through Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Become a Monthly Donor
The Pack is our community of monthly givers who provide steady support that allows us to plan ahead. From recruiting and training Therapy Teams to covering essentials like background checks and program materials, your ongoing gift ensures our furry heroes can reach hospitals, schools, and service agencies
at no cost to those we serve. Even $5 a month covers collectible Therapy Team cards — a favorite keepsake for kids, patients, and seniors.
Are you ready to join The Pack? Visit handinpaw.org/thepack today!
Honor a Loved One
Looking for a holiday gift that truly lasts? Our Tribute Bricks offer a way to honor or remember someone special while supporting AnimalAssisted Therapy.
Each engraved brick is placed on Hand in Paw’s campus, serving as a lasting reminder of love, healing, and generosity — the perfect gift for the person who has everything.
Want to learn more about our tribute and memorial bricks? Visit our website at handinpaw.org/bricks to get started.
Make an Impact Today
Whether you join The Pack, dedicate a Tribute Brick, or make another meaningful contribution to our mission, you’ll be joining an amazing community of supporters who ensure that hope and healing spread throughout Central Alabama and Tuscaloosa, one paw at a time.
For more information about additional ways to support Hand in Paw, go to handinpaw.org/donate.
A Brief Guide to Becoming a Therapy Team
Curious about becoming a Hand in Paw volunteer? This article is for you!
Our volunteer Therapy Teams are the heart of our mission. Every smile sparked, every moment of calm, and every classroom breakthrough begins with a volunteer. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to join this extraordinary community, here’s a quick peek behind the curtain.
1. Start with the Basics
Your animal needs to be at least 18 months old, spayed or neutered, and up to date on rabies and vaccinations. You’ll also need to have lived together for at least six months and completed a group obedience course. These requirements ensure a strong bond and a foundation of trust before beginning the journey.
2. Apply & Interview
The process starts with an online application, followed by an interview and pet screening at Hand in Paw. This is where we get to know you and your animal, and where you’ll show that your pet can remain calm, confident, and connected, even in new settings.
3. Train Together
Selected applicants participate in a four-week Therapy Team Workshop. These sessions, led by our experienced evaluators, prepare you and your
pet for the real work ahead. You’ll also complete a practice evaluation to get comfortable before the big test.
4. Demonstrate Your Skills
The final evaluation is a chance to showcase the teamwork between you and your pet. It’s not about perfection — it’s about demonstrating your connection and your pet’s willingness to follow your cues.
5. Learn from the Pros
Before your first official visit, you’ll shadow experienced Therapy Teams in action. These observations offer valuable insights into the joy and impact of Animal-Assisted Therapy.
6. Begin Your Journey
Finally, the real magic begins! After you and your pet have completed your orientation and shadow visits, you can begin bringing comfort, joy, and healing to people across our community.
Becoming a Therapy Team isn’t just about training. It’s about stepping into a role that transforms lives, including your own. As one volunteer put it, “The best part is watching someone’s whole day brighten because of my dog.”
Think your pet might be a great therapist? Now is the perfect time to take the leap. Visit handinpaw.org/volunteer to learn more and start your application today.