Pet Connections

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Pet Connections offers animal-assisted programs, community opportunities & employment for people with disabilities or other challenges.

Connecting animals and people is what Pet Connections is all about! Pet Connections, a division of Ontario ARC, combines the healing power of pets with socialization to provide a unique experience for each person. Pet Connections was created in 2012 as the first of its kind Animal Assisted Intervention (commonly known as pet therapy) resource specifically developed to benefit people with disabilities or other challenges. Pet Connections is expanding in the Fall of 2017 to include even more community volunteer opportunities by offering Animal Assisted Intervention volunteer certification and membership! Similar to national organizations, Pet Connections will offer certified volunteers with access to individualized volunteer opportunities, unique training and workshops as well as the same liability insurance coverage.

10/28/2026

ANOTHER LEVEL 1 CLASSES BEGINNING IN JANUARY!
REGISTER HERE: https://www.mypetconnections.org/education.html
Hosted by Pet Connections and Animal Assisted Therapy Professional
Gail Furst, CPDT KA
LEVEL 1 - JANUARY 9 | 10 AM

Throughout the course, dogs and handlers will receive individualized coaching and feedback. Progress will be monitored during class exercises, and each team will receive recommendations tailored to their dog's development, success with skills, and personal training goals.

For dogs of all ages, this 6-week course is designed to help your dog develop good household manners while building a positive, lasting relationship with you. A strong emphasis is placed on impulse control to help your dog grow into a confident, well-mannered member of your family. Dogs under one year of age will have the opportunity to participate in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy (Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsible Owner) evaluation at the conclusion of the course. Learn more about the program through the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program (https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/akc-star-puppy/).

08/14/2026

🐾 We’re heading to Paws, Play, and Adoption Days tomorrow, see you there! 🐾

Come visit the Bad Dog Boutique & Pet Connections booth at the Ontario County Humane Society - Happy Tails! We’ll be set up with all your favorite pet goodies, and information about our vocational programs.

🗓 When: Saturday, August 15 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

📍 Where: Ontario County Humane Society (Happy Tails Animal Shelter) – 2976 County Road 48, Canandaigua, NY

Come support a great local shelter, and maybe even meet your new best friend! 🐕❤️

See you there! 🐶✨

06/09/2026

Here is Casey taking a well deserved nap. He's relaxing after his morning of offering warmth and joy to clients and staff at Treatment Court.

05/20/2026

Big news!!!

04/24/2026

Celebrating Our Heroes on Both Ends of the Leash! 🐾❤️

Here is Hunni with her owner Jen, visiting the Keuka College campus.

It’s National Volunteer Week, and we wanted to take a moment to thank our incredible volunteer handlers and canine companions who make our Pet Connections program possible.

We know it takes a lot of hard work to become a certified team, from mastering basic obedience and reading canine body language to completing facility evaluations, and we are so proud of the commitment you show to our community. You provide comfort, encourage social connection, and help improve the physical and emotional well-being of the people we support.

Please join us in saying THANK YOU to our human and four-legged volunteers in the comments below! 👇

less

04/23/2026

Celebrating Our Heroes on Both Ends of the Leash! 🐾❤️

Here is Sammy visiting the residents at our Bloomfield house and curled up fast asleep, listening to the wonderful stories that were being read.

It’s National Volunteer Week, and we wanted to take a moment to thank our incredible volunteer handlers and canine companions who make our Pet Connections program possible.

We know it takes a lot of hard work to become a certified team, from mastering basic obedience and reading canine body language to completing facility evaluations, and we are so proud of the commitment you show to our community. You provide comfort, encourage social connection, and help improve the physical and emotional well-being of the people we support.

Please join us in saying THANK YOU to our human and four-legged volunteers in the comments below! 👇

04/22/2026

Celebrating Our Heroes on Both Ends of the Leash! 🐾❤️

Here are Winston, Dickens and Cody (who is now retired), Dickens is pictured with his favorite book and Winston with his best reading buddies in the East Rochester Elementary School Library.

It’s National Volunteer Week, and we wanted to take a moment to thank our incredible volunteer handlers and canine companions who make our Pet Connections program possible.

We know it takes a lot of hard work to become a certified team, from mastering basic obedience and reading canine body language to completing facility evaluations, and we are so proud of the commitment you show to our community. You provide comfort, encourage social connection, and help improve the physical and emotional well-being of the people we support.

Please join us in saying THANK YOU to our human and four-legged volunteers in the comments below! 👇

04/20/2026

Celebrating Our Heroes on Both Ends of the Leash! 🐾❤️

Here is Keegan visiting our Risser Road residence.

It’s National Volunteer Week, and we wanted to take a moment to thank our incredible volunteer handlers and canine companions who make our Pet Connections program possible.

We know it takes a lot of hard work to become a certified team, from mastering basic obedience and reading canine body language to completing facility evaluations, and we are so proud of the commitment you show to our community. You provide comfort, encourage social connection, and help improve the physical and emotional well-being of the people we support.

Please join us in saying THANK YOU to our human and four-legged volunteers in the comments below! 👇

Week

03/26/2026

ANOTHER LEVEL 1 CLASSES BEGINNING IN JULY!

REGISTER HERE: https://www.mypetconnections.org/education.html

Hosted by Pet Connections and Animal Assisted Therapy Professional
Gail Furst, CPDT KA

LEVEL 1 - JULY 6 | 6:00 PM
Using food and other rewards properly
Strengthen ability to work around household distractions
Relationship development for optimal success
Foundations of loose leash walking
Leashing up and manners at the door

01/22/2026

More than just a "Good Girl"... she's Certified!

We have a new graduate! Meet Stella, the latest pup to become a certified therapy dog through Pet Connections. Stella and her mom, Connie, recently visited Quail Summit, providing a friendly, furry cuddle to the residents there.

Our therapy dog teams visit schools, healthcare facilities, and senior living centers all over Ontario County to provide therapeutic support and companionship.

Interested in learning more about what our Pet Connections teams do? Visit us at thearcontario.org and mypetconnections.org

Address

Canandaigua, NY

Telephone

+15853947500

Website

http://mypetconnections.org/

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