News Summary
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare marked the 40th anniversary of its Animal Therapy program with a mural unveiling at the TMH Animal Therapy Training Center. The mural, created by local artist Nancy Upthegrove, showcases various therapy animals and celebrates the program’s growth and community impact. Currently, over 200 animal therapy teams serve more than 150 facilities, showcasing the significance of therapy animals in providing emotional and physical support. The anniversary events, including a volunteer appreciation event, underscore the deep connection between therapy animals and those they assist.
Tallahassee – On August 3, 2025, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) marked the 40th anniversary of its Animal Therapy program with the unveiling of a mural at the TMH Animal Therapy Training Center, located at 1301 E. Sixth Ave. The mural, created by local artist Nancy Upthegrove, highlights various therapy animals that have made a significant impact in the community over the years.
The mural features an array of animals, including a cat, rabbit, horse, bird, guinea pig, and dogs, symbolizing the diversity of therapy animals that have contributed to the program’s success. These animals, along with their handlers, deliver therapeutic interventions aimed at providing emotional and physical support across various settings such as medical rehabilitation, senior services, courtrooms, and educational institutions.
Leading the Animal Therapy Department at TMH are key figures Stephanie Perkins, Heather Gainey, and Heather Van Liere, who have been instrumental in the program’s development. Currently, the program boasts over 200 animal therapy teams that serve more than 150 facilities throughout the Big Bend region, reflecting a significant expansion from its beginnings as a single human-animal team.
Nigel Allen, President and Chief Advancement Officer of the TMH Foundation, acknowledged the program’s growth over the last four decades, highlighting its evolution into a large-scale operation that has profoundly impacted the community. The unveiling of the mural is part of a series of events commemorating the 40-year milestone, including a recent volunteer appreciation event held on July 12, which saw participation from more than 100 volunteers and their animals at Goodwood Museum & Gardens.
The importance of therapy animals in providing emotional support and positive outcomes for patients was reinforced through personal stories shared by volunteers like Becca Hale. These narratives underscore the emotional bond between therapy animals and those they serve, a connection that has persisted and deepened over the past four decades.
The mural, serving as a permanent tribute to the legacy of compassion and healing fostered by the animal therapy program, reinforces the significant role therapy animals play in enhancing the quality of life for many individuals. In addition to the mural, the TMH Training Center’s outdoor area, “Sit, Stay and Relax,” sponsored by Amazon, has been established to provide a comfortable resting space for animals and their handlers during shifts.
In a related event coinciding with the anniversary, 18 therapy dog teams were sworn in at the Leon County Courthouse, which aligns with the Second Judicial Circuit Animal Therapy in the Courts Program. This initiative aims to offer comfort and support to child victims and witnesses involved in violent crime cases. The Florida Courthouse Therapy Dog Program, which collaborates with TMH, is recognized as the oldest and largest of its kind in the United States, operational in multiple counties with 36 therapy dogs currently active.
As TMH celebrates this significant anniversary, the animal therapy program continues to be a beacon of hope and healing for countless individuals throughout the community, promising a future filled with compassion and support.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Reports: TMH Celebrates 40 Years of Animal Therapy
- Tallahassee Democrat: TMH Celebrates 40 Years of Animal Therapy with Mural
- WTXL: TMH Unveils Mural Celebrating 40 Years of Animal Therapy
- Tallahassee Democrat: Therapy Dogs Sworn in at Courthouse
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Animal Therapy
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
