History and Mission
Project Canine was conceived and launched in 2005 by a dedicated group of canine professionals, trained educators, and experienced Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) practitioners as an effort to better bridge the communication gap between humans and canines. As the project grew that effort took several distinct but interrelated directions:
- Connecting Canines Animal Assisted Therapy training, certification, and outreach
- Bridges to Compassion Humane education
- Operation Opie Bite Prevention education
- Canine Urban Living Landlord/Tenant education and certification
While Project Canine achieved 501(c)3 status in 2009, we started providing community service almost immediately after beginning operation. Right from the start we have developed and expanded all of our programs with the goal of setting the highest possible standards for education, screening, and care. Our therapy animal program has brought necessary innovation to AAT training and testing procedures while providing a new level of ongoing support and education for all teams. We believe our teams are the best trained and most qualified therapy animal teams working today.
The Project Canine team is made up of founding members with backgrounds in canine behavior and training, education, business, and AAT. Together we represent over 30 years of practical experience providing AAT to populations as diverse as physically and mentally ill children, geriatrics, severely developmentally disabled adults, incarcerated offenders, students of all ages, and first responders. Our Campus Canines program is currently our fastest growing program and we are proud to be helping college students across the Puget Sound region relieve stress in a healthy way.
It is our core belief that great dogs, together with great people, produce great outcomes! We pursue this belief daily through education, training, certification, and outreach. We achieve it in myriad ways through the dedication and hard work of our many volunteer teams.
