Quarterly News for Our Friends, Partners & Supporters |
|
|
|
Rainbow Therapy Dog Teams |
|
| | Individuals Reached Annually |
|
| |
|
One Powerful Rainbow Team: Pat & Murphy |
|
|
|
|
Meet Pat Provenzano & Murphy
Pat Provenzano and her certified therapy dog, Murphy, are an integral part of Rainbow’s Community Response Unit (CRU), providing comfort and emotional support to first responders during some of their most difficult moments.
CRU teams are specially trained to respond during emergencies and traumatic situations, providing support to first responders, survivors and others experiencing emotional distress.
Pat, a Director of the Chicago Police Foundation, was familiar with Rainbow’s partnership with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and saw an opportunity for her and Murphy to become involved. To prepare for their work with CPD, Pat completed the Department’s 40-hour peer support training program, which focuses on the health and wellness of police officers.
"A CRU team must combine a highly stable dog, a handler who is aware and displays good judgment, and strong team coordination to safely support people experiencing emotional distress,” stated Cindy Gross, Rainbow’s CRU Coordinator. |
|
|
|
Supporting Chicago's First Responders With her peer support training and Murphy by her side, Pat works with Chicago police officers to help alleviate the emotional stress that can accompany their work. “It’s important work. When officers interact with us, they will share their emotions with Murphy and know that it is a safe, confidential space,” Pat explains.
Pat never knows when she and Murphy may be called upon. They have attended district roll calls following injuries to officers, visited the police mounted unit to lift officers’ spirits, and participated in Officer Wellness Day to help officers decompress. Most recently, the family of a critically ill officer asked Pat and Murphy to visit him in the hospital following surgery. “Pat and Murphy are invaluable members of CRU, especially in providing therapy services to law enforcement. They are always willing to go when and where they are needed.”
— Cindy Gross, Rainbow's CRU Coordinator |
|
|
|
A Powerful Endorsement from CPD “I would like to recognize the tremendous work of Pat Provenzano and her dog, Murphy, and the incredible asset they have been to the Chicago Police Department Professional Counseling Division." Pat and Murphy have helped countless Department members and their families as they work through challenging times. Their presence has made a difference in the lives of those they have touched.
Rainbow teams have supported CPD at roll calls and trauma debriefings and have aided us as we cope with the loss of officers in line-of-duty deaths. The dedication of Rainbow’s handlers and dogs brings comfort and has become an important part of the grieving process for us all. The dogs provide a safe and nurturing place for those struggling with emotional pain to talk, cry and express themselves. We are incredibly grateful for Rainbow’s support and assistance. Dog handlers are special people who provide an invaluable service alongside their dogs. Police officers experience both emotional and physical consequences from the work they do, and Rainbow helps them recover so they can live healthy, happy lives. All of our gratitude, — Robert Sobo, M.Ed., Psy.D.
Director, Chicago Police Department Professional Counseling Division | |
|
|
Rainbow Facility Partner Spotlight |
|
|
|
Rainbow teams visit Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview year-round, reaching more than 1,000 individuals annually through several special programs:
Dog Safety Program Twice-monthly dog safety sessions that teach children how to safely interact with dogs and how to recognize important canine body-language cues. Everyone Plays Special museum sessions for children with special needs and their families. Play Attention Special museum sessions exclusively for military families. |
|
|
|
What Our Partners Say “Kohl Children’s Museum is delighted to partner with Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy. Rainbow Dogs is a beloved program at the museum, teaching children about dogs, dog safety and how to recognize the important clues dogs communicate through their body language.”
Every month, children and families tell us how much they love Rainbow Dogs. Some of our favorite comments include: “This is the first time my child has ever been around a dog!”
“Mom, the dogs are so friendly and soft!”
“I’m not scared anymore!”
“The dogs are so gentle.”
“What a great program!” “Thank you, Rainbow Dogs, for ALL that you do for our patrons at Kohl Children’s Museum. We couldn’t agree more with our families when they say, ‘We love Rainbow Dogs!’” — Manjoo Stoeterau, Education Assistant Manager
Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago |
|
|
|
Rainbow Dog Sponsorship Program |
|
|
|
Sponsor a Rainbow Therapy Dog |
When you sponsor a Rainbow Therapy Dog, you help bring comfort and joy to people when they need it most.
Your support helps our volunteer therapy dog teams reach individuals in hospitals, schools, libraries and community organizations, as well as first responders throughout the Chicagoland area, creating moments of calm and a comforting connection that can have a lasting impact. |
|
| Celebrating 25 Years of Partnership |
For 25 years, Endeavor Health and Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy have partnered to bring the comfort and connection of therapy dogs to multiple hospitals including Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie.
In recognition of this special milestone, Endeavor Health is sponsoring four Rainbow therapy dogs, helping make meaningful visits possible for patients, families, and staff. We are grateful to Endeavor Health for its generous support and continued commitment to Rainbow's mission.
“We sponsor these therapy dogs because we believe in the comfort, connection, and joy they bring to our hospital community. Supporting Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy allows us to help make these meaningful visits possible for the people who need them most.” — Patricia Feldheim
Senior Manager, Volunteers & Gift Shop
Endeavor Health |
|
|
|
Meet the Four Rainbow Therapy Dogs Sponsored by Endeavor Health |
|
|
|
Rainbow Animal Assisted Thrapy Celebrating 40 Years of Healing Hearts |
|
|
|
Something Special is Coming in 2027! |
|
|
|
|
Next year, Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy celebrates 40 years of bringing comfort, healing and connection to our community.
To mark this incredible milestone, we’re planning something special. Keep an eye out for more news regarding a celebration bringing together our therapy dog teams, families, friends and supporters in the fall of 2027.
Stay tuned — more details are coming soon! | |
|
|
Could You & Your Dog Be a Rainbow Team? Does your dog love meeting people and bringing smiles wherever they go? Together, you could make a meaningful difference in the lives of people throughout our community. Rainbow provides the training, support and opportunities you need to begin your journey as a therapy dog team. Contact us or share this with someone who might be a perfect fit! |
|
| |
|
Stay Connected With Rainbow |
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy
6042 W. Oakton Street Morton Grove, IL 60053 |
|
| |
|
|
