Houston’s Leading Pet Therapy Organization
Transforming lives through the healing power of pets with every purr, paw print, and wagging tail.
Who We Are
Faithful Paws Pet Therapy is a nonprofit, volunteer-run and organized group of certified therapy pet teams serving the Greater Houston area. We provide training, AKC Canine Good Citizen testing, support, and insurance for members who volunteer with their dogs, cats and rabbits in animal assisted activities.
Founded in 1997 by Connie Richards, we connect certified therapy pets with individuals in schools, hospitals, senior-tiered living communities, and other facilities that request our services.
Our mission is to bring unconditional love to people we visit through the healing power of pets.
What We Do
Our trained and certified therapy pets and their handlers provide emotional support and companionship to people facing stress, illness, or isolation. Our teams visit hundreds of facilities, including schools, hospitals, senior-tiered living communities, and more!
By offering both ongoing and one-time visits, our well-trained therapy pets and handlers positively impact the emotional and physical well-being of those we serve.
Why We Do It
Scientific research suggests that interactions with therapy pets can reduce stress, blood pressure, heart rate, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression; alleviate loneliness; and enhance overall emotional health. At Faithful Paws, we witness these benefits every day, as our therapy pets bring smiles, comfort, and hope to people in need.
Our goal is not only to continue making a meaningful difference, but also to grow and bring even more joy to more people within the communities of the Greater Houston area.
Our Story
Wondering how Faithful Paws Pet Therapy became the largest pet therapy organization in the Greater Houston Area? Read the story of our founder, Connie Richards, below.
1995: A life-changing accident
In 1995, Connie Richards, the founder of Faithful Paws Pet Therapy, experienced a life-changing accident. While riding her horse with her two-year-old son, the horse got spooked and took off. Miraculously, both survived, but Connie was thrown off and suffered a severe head injury. This experience ignited a fire in Connie’s heart to find her true purpose.
1997: The Birth of Faithful Paws
Determined to make a difference, Connie proposed starting a pet therapy group at her church. This idea led to the creation of Faithful Paws in 1997. Their first visit to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital showed the incredible impact of pet therapy. Patients and staff warmly welcomed Connie’s Sheltie, Buck, and experienced the healing power of pet therapy.
2023-Now: A Lasting Legacy
Connie retired as Executive Director in 2023, passing on a thriving organization with over 200 teams visiting hundreds of facilities and logging 15,000 visits annually. Her legacy lives on through Faithful Paws, which continues to spread joy, healing, and unconditional love across Houston. Connie’s dedication and passion ensure that the mission of Faithful Paws not only endures, but grows, bringing comfort to those we visit.
Our Values
Compassion
We believe in the healing power of love and empathy.
Integrity
We maintain the highest standards of trust and professional ethics
Excellence
We emphasize excellence in all our training and services.
Respect
We respect all individuals and their unique stories.
Community
We build strong, supportive communities through our work.
Dedication
We are passionately dedicated to our mission and the well-being of those we serve.
Lives Touched by Pet Therapy
See what those who have experienced the healing power of Faithful Paws therapy pets have to say.
“Faithful Paws is more than faithful in their appearance for programs! They are faithful to their commitment to provide a positive experience to our library patrons. Bellaire City Library’s “Paws for Reading” has been a monthly staple of our programming for years and draws a wide variety of ages each time they visit. Although initially promoted as reading therapy, we find many library patrons just take a few minutes out of their stressful day to interact with the program.”
Mary Cohrs
Director of Library, City of Bellaire
"Faithful Paws has been coming to the Houston Public Library since 2015, and I’ve had the pleasure of implementing this amazing organization into two of our neighborhood library youth programs. I named this program Reading with Paws-tive Pups, which provides an opportunity for the kids to practice their reading by reading to the dogs, and it has become one of our most sought-after programs within the community. Families are always asking, “when are the dogs coming back to the library?”
The children pick a book from the table and pick a dog to read with. Families of all ages look forward to attending this program every month. Faithful Paws brings so much joy and excitement to the families at our libraries."
Donna Gilliam
Senior Library Service Specialist, Houston Public Library
Our Pet Therapy Teams
Each team, consisting of a handler and their personal pet, undergoes rigorous pet therapy training to provide the safest care and companionship to those they visit. Our training program sets our teams up for success, which is a key factor in the quality and impact of the visits.
All pets in our program are required to show proof of rabies vaccinations, yearly veterinarian checkups, and proof of parasite protection in order to maintain active member status.
Discover the inspiring stories behind our incredible teams and how they bring joy to those in need – or apply to become a member yourself!
Our Leadership
Our dedicated leaders are the backbone of Faithful Paws, guiding our mission forward as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Board of Directors
Administrators
Lynn Morris
Executive Director
Dr. Marty Webb
Training Coordinator
Jay Morris
Facilities Coordinator
Shelley Swedlaw
Membership Coordinator
Lien Busby
One-Time Visits Coordinator
Training Team
Kristin Morgan
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA)
AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator
Vivian Tjeng
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Animal Behavior College Certified Cat Trainer (ABCCT)
Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer (ABCDT)
AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator
Marty Webb, Training Coordinator and Visit 101 Teacher
Lisa Frederich, Visit 101 Teacher
Pat Vacek, Visit 101 Teacher
Vivian Tjeng, Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Vickey Willard, CGC Evaluator
Paige Andrews, Training Class Merchandise Coordinator
Multiple Faithful Paws Members who are assistants to Kristin Morgan during training classes
Facilities We Visit
Faithful Paws visits schools, libraries, hospitals, senior tiered living communities, rehabilitation facilities, hospice centers, colleges, universities, and other organizations that request our services.
Schools
Libraries
Hospitals
Senior Tiered Living Communities
Rehabilitation Facilities
Hospice Centers
Colleges and Universities
Corporations and Businesses
Support Our Mission
Your generous donations help us continue to provide invaluable pet therapy services across the Greater Houston area. Every contribution supports our training programs, facility visits, and community outreach. Together, we can bring more smiles and comfort to those in need.
Catch Up on All Things Faithful Paws!
From volunteer stories to event highlights, our news section keeps you connected to the heart of our community's activities. Take a “paws” and check out our blog!
Dedicated to the Work: Trainer, Teammate, and True Dog Lover — Meet Kristin Morgan
At Faithful Paws, we are incredibly fortunate to have some truly remarkable volunteers and trainers among our members. These are people who not only love animals but dedicate their time…
What It Takes to Be a Pet Therapy Team
Behind the Magic of Every Visit When you see a therapy dog gently resting its head on a child’s lap or calming an anxious hospital patient with a single nuzzle,…
Come See Us at the 2025 Houston World Series of Dog Shows
Get ready for wagging tails, heartwarming stories, and a whole lot of furry fun! Faithful Paws Pet Therapy is thrilled to be part of the 2025 Houston World Series of…