Jeff has been a dedicated member of the PAWSitive Therapy Troupe since 2021 and a registered Pet Partner team since 2009. His Pet Partner therapy dog is Opie, a 9-year-old Goldendoodle. Jeff and Opie have been faithful visitors at the Oak Park Infant Welfare League where they provide comfort and support to children coming into the after-school health clinics. Opie enjoys “Read With Me” programs at local elementary schools and libraries where he listens intently as children read their books to him. Jeff and Opie also provide stress relief for students at Dominican University and University of Illinois and support to patients and healthcare staff at MacNeal hospital.

Here is what Jeff has to say about his PAWSitive Therapy Troupe experiences:

“I can honestly say that we do not have just one “favorite” place that we go. I have yet to leave a visit where we didn't have a positive impact with either an individual or group of people. Whether it's a visit of only a few or a few hundred, Opie and I as a team always have felt appreciated for what we do.

Over the past 7 1/2 years that Opie and I have been making therapy visits I've estimated we have visited with over 5,000 people. Some of the larger venues like Dominican University, UIC, corporate events or the many elementary or high schools we go to always have large turnouts. I can't say enough about Opie’s willingness to show affection towards people and the affection he gets in return is a wonderful thing to see.

It has happened often where we will be at the park or the pet store or at a pet friendly restaurant where random people will come up to us and want to pet him. They will remember him from a visit we made at their school or with their parents while they were hospitalized. It's this kind of situation that makes animal-assisted therapy such a great experience. I personally get so much satisfaction contributing to such a rewarding cause with the sweetest and most devoted teammate a person could ask for.”

On behalf of all of us in the PAWSitive Therapy Troupe, thank YOU Jeff and Opie for your dedicated service!