TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Civic Center was packed with dogs and people for the 35th annual Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Foundation Golden Gala.
Proceeds from Thursday night's event will go toward the animal therapy program at TMH.
The animal therapy program at TMH boasts as being the only one of its kind in the Big Bend.
Animal therapists say hundreds of trials show petting an animal is enough to reduce stress and anxiety.
That's why so many local volunteers take their animals to visit patients around the Big Bend with varying physical and mental conditions.
"We were brought into the world of animal therapy by this extraordinary dog named Rikki," said Chuck Mitchell, the honorary chair of the Golden Gala. "Working with her really showed us the power of the human animal bond and how animal therapy can really be used to harness that power of healing."
Anyone can volunteer to be in the animal therapy program at TMH.
