On April 27, 2026, at City Hall, the Bangor City Council officially recognized April 30 as Therapy Animal Day with a proclamation—joining hundreds of cities across the country in honoring the work of therapy animals and the humans who walk beside them. And I’m still trying to find the words for what that feels like. Because this was never just about a day. It was never just about recognition. It was about believing—quietly, persistently—that what we were building mattered. That the moments...

In February 2026, Pet Partners of Eastern Maine therapy dog teams provided emotional support to first responders and airport personnel following the fatal plane crash at Bangor International Airport. In the days after the incident, therapy dog handlers extended an offer of support to those impacted—an invitation that was met with gratitude and openness from the airport and emergency response community. Over the course of the week, eight certified therapy dog teams visited multiple groups...

In the October 10th episode of the Empty Arms Podcast: The healing power of four paws--Stacey & Koda's story, Taylor Black sits down with...