Our Teams

Amy, Owner

with Love Bug
A woman kneeling next to a service dog inside a store or medical facility. The woman is smiling, wearing a light purple T-shirt, jeans, and white shoes. The dog has red boots on its paws and is wearing a harness with a badge. In the background, there are mobility walkers, a shopping cart, and colorful dumbbells.

  • Why We Love This Work:  very few careers allow you to help people and be with your furry best friend. I’m blessed to work with phenomenal individuals who put their heart into helping others, special animals and lovely intelligent warm hearted clients.

  • My Pet's Specialty: Love Bug, aka June Bug is my special tripod and is an inspiration to amputees. She was able to walk within one day of her amputation. She provides hope and inspiration to those who hear her story.

  • A "Fun Fact":  My other therapy dog, Suzy also known as Squeaker, is the smallest in our household of 5 dogs but she rules the roost.

Serving: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, LI

with Marshmallow

August

A person with curly hair, wearing a green frog hat, glasses, and a piercings, smiling while taking a selfie with a black dog dressed in matching frog costume, sitting in a stroller in a hospital corridor.

  • Why We Love This Work: I love getting to spend my days with Marshall Lee, a.k.a.Marshmallow, while being there for people during some of the toughest moments in their lives.

  • My Pet's Specialty: Marshall Lee is truly “Mr. Mellow,” and his calm, steady presence helps residents relax and find a sense of peace.

  • A "Fun Fact":  Marsh has everyone fooled into thinking he’s so sweet and harmless… but at home, he’s the ringleader of his brothers. He definitely knows he is cute.

Serving: Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island

  with Cookie

Cassandra

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a beige fleece jacket, holding a small brown poodle puppy with a red harness, standing in front of a brick house entry door decorated with a fall wreath and a fall-themed sign that says 'Happy Fall Y'all' with a pumpkin illustration, surrounded by pumpkins and fall decorations.

  • Why We Love This Work: As somebody who works in healthcare, it's nice to expand that experience to incorporate my dog. 

  • My Pet's Specialty: Cookie brings a smile to everybody's face.

  • A "Fun Fact":  Cookie has his own ice cream bowl, and he knows a nice treat is waiting for him at home after work.

Serving: Staten Island, Brooklyn

 with Ollie

Dani

A woman smiling with a dog sitting next to her. The woman has dark hair and is wearing a green camouflage shirt. The dog is white with a brown spots, blue eyes, and is wearing a collar with a red leash. They are outside on a wooden deck with trees and a blue shed in the background.

  • Why We Love This Work: I really enjoy my time with the residents - meeting new people and connecting on a real level.

  • My Pet's Specialty: Being a chill dude.  Nothing rattles him - he just lives for the pets!

  • A "Fun Fact": Ollie often likes to sleep with one paw straight up in the air

Serving: Northern Bronx

  with Lola

Kaitlyn

A young woman with long brown hair and blue eyes holding a tabby cat with yellow eyes inside a car.

  • Why We Love This Work: We love this work because it brings a fun, lighthearted side while creating real, meaningful connections. It truly feels like we have gained an extended family everywhere we go.

  • My Pet's Speciality: Lola encourages engagement and movement, especially when we play Barry Manilow’s song, Copacabana, bringing smiles, laughter, and a little dancing.

  • A "Fun Fact":  Lola may arrive in her fancy pink stroller, but will often hop right out to curl up with the people who need her most.

Serving: Westchester

Shaela 

 with Bambino
A woman smiling and holding a small tan and white dog in her arms outdoors with trees and a house in the background.
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  • Why We Love This Work: I have always had a passion for helping others, this work allows me to continue to help others, and spend time with my dog at the same time!

  • My Pet's Specialty: Bambino provides grounding and peace in any setting

  • A "Fun Fact":  Bambino’s favorite toy is his Lamb-chop that is double his size!  

Serving: Long Island

 with Sidney

Tara

A woman with long blonde hair smiling and crouching next to a black dog with a red collar indoors.

  • Why We Love This Work: There's nothing quite like watching someone's face completely transform the moment Sidney walks into the room. Sidney has a gift for reading a room.

  • My Pet's Specialty: Sidney knows to keep her energy soft and sweet inside any facility, saving her enthusiasm for the parking lot on the way out.

  • A "Fun Fact": When I put on my Helpful Hounds t-shirt, she knows that we are going to work!  

Serving: Northern New Jersey

Contact Us

Discover what it takes to join our team!

Our superstar teams are the heart of our 20-year mission, but the journey from a "good pet" to a "professional Helpful Hounds Team” is an intentional one. At Helpful Hounds, we maintain a rigorous vetting, training, and evaluation process. This ensures that every team, both human and animal, meets the highest standards.

We are looking for team members who are dedicated to helping others and enjoy working with their pet. The pet must have a unique, and intuitive temperament. If you believe you have the commitment to join our team, we invite you to start the inquiry process.

Start Your Inquiry Process

Helpful Hounds LLC provides Animal-Assisted Interventions. Our Professionals are highly-trained handlers and human facilitators; they are not licensed medical or mental health therapists. The Paw refers to our animal partners who have been registered and evaluated for their temperament and therapeutic aptitude. Our programs are designed to complement not replace professional clinical care. We are proud to serve as a bridge of comfort across the New York and New Jersey area.