Our Story

Companions, Inc. is a non-profit volunteer corporation whose purpose is to promote human-animal companionship in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. In reality, this simply means bringing people and pets together whenever possible. Much research is available documenting the many positive impacts pets have on people, improving both our mental and physical well being.

Pets offer us unconditional affection, companionship, entertainment, humor and a reason to exercise. Research also tells us that stroking a pet can lower our blood pressure and some studies indicate pets to be a factor in extending life span. There are over 300 programs in the United States involved in this “pet therapy” concept.

Companions, Inc. began in January of 1986 as an idea of Cathy Forte and Diane Schipper who were looking for a community project involving people and pets. After extensive reading and communicating with other programs in the United States these two energetic ladies completed a local needs assessment here in the borough. Every agency or person interviewed seemed excited with the prospect of a local program. A month after the program began, Denali Center agreed to be the first site for the pet visitation program. The program operated informally until April of 1986 at which time it became incorporated in the State of Alaska as a non-profit corporation. The IRS approved its tax-exempt status in October of the same year.

The program soon spread to the North Star Council on Aging and a month later to the Pioneers’ Home. In January of 1987 the program expanded to WICCA (now called Interior Alaska Center for Non-violent Living), a center for women needing counseling and assistance. In 1989 visits began at the Denardo Group Home, a mental health facility and in 1990 volunteers began taking their pets to the Fairbanks Resource Agency’s Adult Day Care Center. In April of 1991, after five years of effort, approval was given for visits to begin at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. We currently visit regularly in the Behavioral Health unit at the hospital as well as other floors and units.

Participating pets are currently required to pass a temperament screening which is performed at Denali Center by one of our screeners, followed by a complete health screening done by the pet’s veterinarian. From the beginning of this program, these health screenings have been done free of charge by the members of the Interior Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) as their contribution to this program.

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Temperament testing involves checking the animal’s reactions to loud sounds, unexpected movement, various ways of petting and a general check for body sensitivity. Dr. Leo Bustad, a leading researcher in the pet therapy movement, developed this testing tool. Dogs must demonstrate basic obedience training (verbal and/or signal commands for “sit, down, heel and stay”). All visiting pets are required to be clean and well groomed and are collared and leashed at all times. Pets must demonstrate an affectionate, calm, trusting temperament with no history of aggression towards people or animals. In addition, pets are provided with an introduction to mobility equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, canes and crutches.

Volunteers are provided training for a specific site through orientations provided by experienced volunteers who accompany them on their initial visits. In addition, some sites require a general orientation session or specific instruction regarding visits. Each volunteer is issued a handbook that outlines visit expectations and responsibilities. During a 45-60 minute visit a volunteer and their own pet encourage folks being visited to watch, hug, stroke, hold, play with, talk to and/or groom the pet. The volunteer and their pet circulate in designated areas at a site or in a resident’s private room if asked. The visiting pet program results have been very positive. We see smiles, laughter and increased conversation with folks being visited. People with mobility impairment have been observed making deliberate efforts to reach out and stroke visiting pets. People with vision impairment receive tremendous satisfaction in the tactile stimulation provided by pets. People experiencing depression and withdrawal become temporarily alert and responsive.

The staff of the sites visited often stop for conversation and stroking the pets to brighten their daily routine as well. Pets in the program receive large amounts of attention to brighten their week. Volunteers experience the joy of giving to special folks in special places and leave a visit with a warm glow inside.

Another major activity of the organization is fundraising to pay the operating costs of the organization and for the costly but necessary liability insurance the organization is required to carry in order to visit. “Pets & People Day”, now known as Pet Awareness  Day, was first held in 1987 as our chief fundraiser and publicity activity and has continued to be held annually each May in recognition of “Be Kind to Animals” week. Companions, Inc. has no paid staff but relies on an energetic, committed group of over 50 volunteers and an equally dedicated 9-member Board of Directors. Private donations are always welcomed to allow us to continue to meet the requests for visits coming from the community.

What began as a dream of two people has expanded into a shared dream of many. Through dedicated efforts the program will continue growing and serving a vital function in this community, bringing joy wherever it travels.