Pet Therapy at Community Memorial
Available at our Ventura and Ojai campuses
Healing is more than clinical care — it’s also about comfort, connection, and emotional support. At Community Memorial, our pet therapy program brings trained therapy animals and their volunteer handlers into our Ventura and Ojai campuses to create moments of joy, calm, and companionship for patients, families, and staff.
What is pet therapy?
Pet therapy — also known as animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted activities — uses certified therapy animals to help reduce stress, lift spirits, and enhance emotional well-being. Our therapy teams visit approved areas throughout both campuses, offering gentle interaction and a comforting presence to anyone who may benefit.
All therapy animals in our program are temperament-tested, well-mannered, and certified through an approved organization to ensure safe, positive experiences.
Benefits of pet therapy
Pet therapy can make a meaningful difference in the hospital experience:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved mood and emotional well-being
- Comfort during tests, treatments, or long stays
- Increased social interaction and engagement
- Emotional support for caregivers and staff
These small moments of connection can have a big impact on healing.
The Peter Gaal, MD Pet Therapy Program (Ventura Campus)
Our Ventura campus is home to the Peter Gaal, MD Pet Therapy Program, named in honor of Dr. Peter George Gaal — a highly respected cardiovascular surgeon who served Community Memorial Hospital with exceptional skill, compassion, and humanity.
Dr. Gaal was known for his kindness, his dedication to patients, and his gentle, caring presence. After his passing in 2012, the program was established to honor his legacy and reflect the values he embodied throughout his career.
Today, the program continues to bring joy and comfort to patients, families, and staff. Our volunteer therapy teams — celebrated by the community for “making a difference, one wag at a time” — carry forward Dr. Gaal’s spirit of warmth, empathy, and healing.
Love on a Leash partnership
Community Memorial partners with Love on a Leash, a national nonprofit that certifies volunteer pet therapy teams. Through this partnership with Ventura – Love On A Leash® and Ojai – Love On A Leash®, we ensure:
- Certified therapy teams who meet strict safety and behavior standards
- Handlers trained to work in healthcare environments
- Safe, supervised visits coordinated with hospital staff
This collaboration helps us offer a consistent, high-quality pet therapy experience across both campuses.
Join our pet therapy program
We are welcoming new applicants for our Ventura hospital! If you have a friendly, well-behaved pet and a desire to bring comfort to others, we welcome you to explore becoming part of our volunteer pet therapy team.
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Apply Online: Fill out the Pet Therapy Volunteer Application to get started.
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Follow the Guide: Use our Pet Therapy Application Checklist to navigate the certification process smoothly.
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Get in Touch: Need assistance? Please contact Laura Lindsay at lauralindsayvta@gmail.com.
