Creature Comfort Pet Therapy: Healing Happens Here
When stress, grief, or loneliness closes in, Creature Comfort Pet Therapy (CCPT) based in Madison, NJ, opens the door to relief—with a cold nose, a warm nuzzle, and a volunteer who cares.
A Hands-On Model That Works
Founded in 2011 by the late Joan Baer and Annie Murphy, CCPT was created to meet the soaring demand for animal-assisted visits across New Jersey. What distinguishes CCPT is its hands-on, customized approach: staff collaborate with every partner site to match the right volunteer–pet team to each population’s needs, then structure every visit for maximum therapeutic impact.
Numbers That Tell a Story
- 7,000+ visits in 2024
- 150,000 people reached
- 300 facilities served across 9 counties
- 500+ certified teams representing dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, a goat and even a mini horse
Behind those numbers are the volunteers—more than 200 active teams—who commit to at least two visits a month after passing a rigorous evaluation and mentorship process. Together, they deliver about 300 visits every month to hospitals, schools, libraries, mental-health programs, veterans’ homes, hospices, and senior-care centers.
Programs for Every Stage of Life
- Recurring Visits & Animal-Assisted Activities – Unstructured time to elevate mood, ease pain, and reduce anxiety.
- Animal-Assisted Therapy – One-on-one sessions integrated into a professional treatment plan.
- Creature Comfort On Call – Rapid-response teams for crises or urgent needs.
- Reading to Dogs – A judgment-free zone that boosts literacy and confidence.
- Special-Needs Schools, After-School Education & Pediatric Units – Tailored interactions that aid developmental and emotional growth.
- Mental-Health, Veterans & Senior Programs – Visits that fight isolation and spark communication for adults of all ages.
The Science—and Magic—of Pet Therapy
Research shows interaction with calm animals can lower blood pressure, release mood-boosting endorphins, and diminish pain. Yet the magic often reveals itself in personal moments:
- A child with selective mutism whispers to a therapy dog for the very first time.
- A stroke survivor flexes stiff fingers to reach a cat’s soft fur.
- An elder in memory care brightens, recalling the therapy dog’s name even after forgetting her own.
“These animals reach people no one else can,” says a CCPT staff member. “Healing can begin with a single tail wag.”
Mission, Vision, and a Lasting Legacy
Mission: To enhance people’s lives through therapeutic visits with caring volunteers and their pets.
Vision: A statewide network where trained volunteers and facilities connect easily, and the benefits of pet therapy are widely understood and embraced.
Joan Baer and Annie Murphy called it the “power of the paws.” AFP New Jersey calls it Excellence in Philanthropy—honoring CCPT as the 2025 Outstanding Community Organization for its innovation, reach, and life-changing results.
Get Involved
Whether you have a gentle pet, a facility seeking visits, or a heart moved to give, Creature Comfort Pet Therapy welcomes you. Learn more, volunteer, or donate at www.ccpettherapy.org.
Join the Celebration
Tickets and sponsorship information for AFP NJ's September 25 Excellence in Philanthropy Breakfast are available