PHOENIX, AZ – The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has officially declared April 30th National Therapy Animal Day and National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. 

The proclamation was signed at the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 26th, 2023 with representatives from Maricopa County Animal Care & Control present as well as Gabriel’s Angels, a nonprofit that provides pet therapy services to vulnerable children in Arizona.  

"We're excited to share this day with such a hardworking nonprofit that does incredible work in the community to ensure the human-animal bond strengthens amongst some of our most vulnerable children in Arizona." said Debbie McKnight, Interim Director of MCACC. “At Animal Care & Control, we are committed to finding positive outcomes for lost, surrendered and stray dogs, and believe adoption is the best way to find your new best friend.”   

There are not only thousands of therapy animal teams serving in communities across the United States, but they also play an essential role in improving human health and well-being though the human-animal bond.  

The resolution recognizes that there are thousands of homeless animals in local shelters, such as Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, who deserve kind and loving homes where they can thrive and show their true personalities. As noted on the resolution, shelter animals can be anything; a loyal companion, your best friend, or a therapy dog.  

“One pet therapy team making a difference with kids in Maricopa County is Samantha Glauser and her dog Che, who was rescued from Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. Che along with 30 other rescue dogs have formed volunteer pet therapy teams within Gabriel's Angels," said Melissa Steimer, CEO of Gabriel's Angels. "We are grateful to be sharing a day with an organization that changes the lives of pets, and those pets are now changing the lives of our most vulnerable children with their humans."   

Last year, MCACC took in more than 18,000 animals, and more than 11,600 were adopted into their forever homes. MCACC also works with dozens of dedicated rescue partners who work tirelessly to find homes for dogs who enter the shelter. Throughout the year, MCACC hosts several adoption specials, including a regular “Empty the Shelters” adoption event sponsored by the Bissell Pet Foundation, as well as offsite adoption events with partners such as PetSmart and Petco.  

For more information on how to meet your new best friend, go to Maricopa.gov/Pets.  

Gabriel’s Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is through the life-changing power of pet therapy to enhance the social and emotional development of vulnerable children. Driven by the passionate belief that the unconditional love of a therapy pet can heal a child, Registered Pet Therapy teams visit partner agencies serving at-risk children in Arizona to provide unconditional love and teach them core social behaviors.   

For more information about becoming a Pet Therapy team, volunteering, or donating, please visit GabrielsAngels.org or call 602-266-0875.