About

Organization

We are a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization located in Albuquerque, NM. We are an all-volunteer organization providing therapy dog services to the Albuquerque metro area.

We visit:

  • Hospitals
  • rehabilitation facilities
  • nursing homes
  • schools
  • libraries
  • the 911 call center
  • and other facilities as requested

We are available for outreach events where we can inform the public about therapy dogs and the work that they do. We are always looking for individuals who would like to become involved in therapy dog work to join us. If that sounds like you, check out our “Join us” page for more information. If you represent a facility that would be interested in having our therapy dogs visit, check out the “Facilities” tab for information on setting up visits.

Mission

To make a positive impact on people’s lives with our dedicated therapy dog teams.

Purpose

  1. HD Therapy Dogs is operated exclusively for charitable, educational, and humanitarian purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
  2. HD Therapy Dogs is a group of volunteers and their dogs organized for the purposes of:
  • comforting and entertaining the sick, lonely, stressed and disabled of all ages wherever they may be
  • providing educational outreach services, e.g., to schools and libraries
  • demonstrating the benefits of pet therapy to health-care professionals and the community
  • supporting registered therapy dog teams by establishing and maintaining visiting, educational, social, networking, and enrichment opportunities to our members
  • sharing our knowledge and love of pet therapy with other volunteers throughout New Mexico.

Core Values

High Desert Therapy Dogs members as a group adhere to the following core values:

  • share care, compassion, and comfort with each other
  • cultivate and preserve a culture of inclusion and non-discrimination
  • value, respect, support, and trust each other
  • share knowledge and resources generously
  • work together courteously and cooperatively.

History

High Desert was founded by seven therapy dog teams in May of 2020. Despite the impact of COVID, by
the end of 2022 our membership had increased to 31 visiting members and 6 supporting
members. We provided teams to the observation area of Presbyterian Healthcare’s vaccination hub, and
in April of 2021 most Presbyterian facilities opened their doors to our teams. The Pride Fest in the
summer of 2021 was a great success as a fund raiser. During the Holidays in 2022, we accompanied
Santa Claus to Presbyterian Hospital and Fiesta Park Wellness and Rehabilitation (Avamere) with Girl
Scouts Troop #10032. In March of 2023, we were honored by Albuquerque Business First as one of its
2023 Philanthropy Honorees and received an award at an event on March 23, 2023 at the Sandia Golf
Club.

Meet our Board

Liz Martinez, President

I was born and raised in Albuquerque and have lived in Rio Rancho since 1985.
I’m retired from the City of Albuquerque and have volunteered for Rio Rancho Public Schools, Cibola Little League and Presbyterian Hospital. I currently volunteer at the Information Desk at Rust Medical Center on Monday mornings.
I adopted Wilson from Watermelon Ranch in September of 2014.  At that time I had a granddaughter who was 2 and an elderly father. Wilson was so good with both of them, that I decided to sign him up to be a Therapy Dog.  He went into training to be a Therapy Dog in May of 2016.  We spend time at Rust and Beehive Homes – Volcano Cliffs.
I am proud of the work High Dessert Therapy Dogs do and I enjoy ask the great people I’ve met.

Kate Washburn Brennan, Secretary


I’m Kate Washburn Brennan. I joined High Desert Therapy Dogs with my 4-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever, Scout, in the Spring of 2023. It has been a rewarding experience for both of us. We have primarily visited the schools, both APS and UNM, Rust and Kaseman hospitals and the Retreat. Scout has learned that to be a good therapy dog, she needs to leave some of her Labrador high energy at home! We enjoy adding to other’s lives in whatever way we can. I was a Physical Therapist before I retired, so I find this type of volunteer work rewarding. Helping others comes in many forms, sharing Scout with others is one!

I am the mother of two wonderful kids. They are the ones who surprised me on Christmas morning with puppy Scout. They like that Scout and I do therapy visits. When we are not ”working”, Scout and I take long walks. We are grateful to have met such a great group of people/dogs at High Desert Therapy Dogs.

Linni Fletcher, Director of Membership

Welcome to our website!

My name is Linni Fletcher and this is my Coton De Tulear, Stella. We are excited to have been involved in pet therapy since 2018 in the Albuquerque area.

 I earned a BA in Elementary education and a MA in Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado. I taught 3 years in the first grade and 10 years in Special Education. It was during this time I began my volunteering. I was involved in the children’s Special Olympics for 15 years. Growing up in a military family, I was proud to have the desire to give back to others by volunteering.

Stella and I visit with High Desert Therapy Dogs at Presbyterian Hospitals, Cooper Center, VA hospital, Avamere Rehabilitation and the Retreat Alzheimer’s and Dementia facility.

Stella and I are pleased to be in the position of Membership, and we welcome all who would like to have the opportunity to serve our hospitals, facilities, and our community.

We hope you and your dog will join us in our pet therapy organization.

Joan Puccini, Director of Education and Mentoring

I became a part of Pet therapy in 2012. My first therapy dog, Drake, the Sheltie, went to the office. I began visiting every day, twice a day. Drake and I loved what we were doing, but I thought I might be wearing him out, so I borrowed my son’s dog, Khan, the Pomeranian. Khan was an instant hit because of his triple coat.

We adopted an 8 year old Italian Greyhound, Sandy. You can teach old dogs new tricks. She soon became my third therapy dog. Carli, the Beagle soon joined the pack and we were 4. In one year’s time (2017-2018), Drake, Khan and Sandy crossed the Rainbow Bridge. My sixth Sheltie, Deacon, joined Carli as a therapy dog. In 2019 Zander & Zephyr (half-brothers), long-hair Miniature Dachshunds, joined our household. Zander became my sixth therapy dog in 2020. Some of the places we like to visit: Presbyterian hospitals, Lovelace, the 911 Call Center, Encompass Rehabilitation, Genesis Rehabilitation Center. Pet therapy is very rewarding in so many ways. It is a privilege to serve our community in this way.

Stephanie Bourgeois, Treasurer

Greetings from the Land of Enchantment. My name is Steph and I’m your treasurer. I am originally from Hamburg, Germany. When I first moved here, I spoke very broken English and couldn’t find a job. In 2016, at almost 50 years old, I decided to go back to school and got a BA in Finance and International Management. In 2019, the Air Force picked me up as a Program Manager and also paid for my Master in Project Management. I love my current job and am proud to support our military.

To find a work/life balance, I was looking for an opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community. Since my kids were little, I volunteered in all kinds of different settings. Because dogs and obedience were already my passion for the past 40 years, I was looking for something where I could enjoy both.

That’s how I got into pet therapy. Back in 2018, I had a very well-tempered Labrador girl Lucy, and had just finished and passed my training with her, when my daughter decided she needed her as a de-stressor at Vet school. So, I waited 9 months and took Diesel, our then 13-months old chocolate lab, through training and finally started to visit in March 2019. Since then, I also certified our German Shepherd/Border Collie mix, Sammy. I’m regularly visiting at Presbyterian Main hospital after work and try to visit at as many outreach events as possible. I also take Diesel or Sammy to the office (under a different “work” insurance!) where they make all the airmen happy.

Besides Diesel and Sammy, we share our home with our spoiled Boxer girl Emma, our cat Oscar, and our two horses, Nic and Chili. In my free time, I love spending time with my husband, kids and grandkids in Northern New Mexico either hiking, horseback riding or skiing/snowboarding.

Lynette Lord, Visiting Director

Welcome to High Desert Therapy Dogs.

My name is Lynette Lord and my therapy dog is Fiona. We have been involved in pet therapy for about two years.

After retiring from Albuquerque Public Schools, I was looking for a way to give back to the community. Fiona, my Brittany Spaniel gave me the answer. When I got her at age two, I had no idea that she already knew what her job was to be. After bringing her home, my neighbor came to visit. Fiona promptly settled next to him and would not leave his side. My neighbor has MS and she knew it. After that realization, I focused on her obedience and training to become a working team.

We are proud to represent High Desert at various Presbyterian Hospital locations, community and outreach events and at a local rehabilitation hospital.