It was organized in Pinellas County in 1985 and currently has more than 250 volunteers with over 250 pets visiting over 100 health care facilities in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Pets include dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets. All animals which make visits are personally-owned pets, which must pass a screening to insure that they have a suitable temperament. All must be examined annually by a veterinarian, and the updated health certificates are kept on file at the Pinellas County Cooperative Extension Service. Studies have shown that interacting with animals is very beneficial to human health.
Animals give unconditional love and attention, making no judgments, demanding nothing in return.
For many hospital patients and nursing home residents, this is a powerful factor in reducing anxiety and depression. Petting a responsive animal had even been shown to have physical benefits, such as lowering blood pressure. Many residents of health-care facilities are there because they have no families to care for them. In some cases, the animals are their only regular visitors. It is no wonder that Project P.U.P. visits are greatly anticipated by these individuals.