About F.E.T.C.H.

F.E.T.C.H. was formed in 2001 to offer therapy dog teams an opportunity to visit as a group. We visit  Assisted Living and Memory Care facilities, Riverbend Hospital, the U of O, High Schools, Mental Health Facilities, LCC,  a pediatric dentist, the Eugene Airport, and Willamalane events primarily in the Eugene, Springfield, and Bethel area.

Several members also participate in the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program. We go into schools and libraries to provide opportunities for children to read books to our dogs. The R.E.A.D. program is a separate registration. To be a R.E.A.D. team one must first be a therapy dog team registered by a recognized organization. Alliance of Therapy Dogs is one such organization. For more information on the R.E.A.D. program, visit their site here.

Many members enjoy visiting at the hospital. This is most often done as individual teams, but can be done as a group. It is a wonderful experience to visit the waiting rooms, as families there have nothing else to do but sit, wait, and worry. Bringing a therapy dog in lifts the mood and gives families a diversion for a while, easing their stress. Please be aware some hospitals, including Riverbend, have a volunteer orientation that must be attended before the therapy teams may visit.