Recently, in North Port, a local 12-year-old girl took her own life. It is times like these when all feel a profound loss as to what to say and what to do. The tragedy is incomprehensible. Sometimes the only one who can help ease the sorrow and confusion is a pet therapist. The Suncoast Humane Society (SHS) pet therapy team has been at Woodland Middle School in North Port to do what they do best and help those in need. Suncoast Humane Society provides the human-animal bond for adults and children who need it most. This free community program has volunteer teams of people and their certified therapy pets who visit health care facilities, schools, libraries, court rooms, memory care, pretty much any place people need extra kindness. The pet therapy teams currently cover three counties and are dually evaluated under Suncoast Humane Society and the nationally accredited program Pet Partners. Each team is re-evaluated every two years after their initial acceptance into the program, to insure the highest degree of skill. For more information about joining the SHS Pet Therapy Team, please contact Pet Therapy Team Manager Claire Berten at cberten@humane.org.

Free Microchipping Event
Gulf Pines Memorial Park in partnership with Pet Passings and Companion Meadow are hosting a free microchipping event, also featuring dogs for adoption on Saturday, May 7, 10am to 2pm. Besides microchipping, there will be dogs available for adoption by Rescue Garage, dog treats, bully sticks, pet stories, and local pet vendors. The event will be held at Gulf Pines Memorial Park, 2401 Englewood Road. For more information, call Holly Coleman at Gulf Pines Memorial Park: 941-474-2413.