News Releases

(OAK RIDGE, Tenn.) – A meeting for those interested in becoming volunteers for an animal-assisted therapy program will be held in Oak Ridge June 19. The program, Human Animal Bond in Tennessee (H.A.B.I.T.), is a non-profit community-based organization in which animals and volunteers make therapeutic visits to nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, schools and other facilities. The meeting is also open to anyone with a general interest in animal-assisted therapy.

The informational meeting will be held at the Oak Ridge Public Library auditorium located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Monday, June 19, from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. No pets should be brought to the meeting.

H.A.B.I.T., which is affiliated with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, is a group of volunteers working together to promote the bond between people and animals. As a nonprofit program of the veterinary college, H.A.B.I.T. sponsors animal-assisted therapy programs for those of all ages in a variety of settings such as nursing and retirement homes, assisted living centers, hospitals, physical rehabilitation centers, and area schools. H.A.B.I.T. has several programs in the Oak Ridge, Anderson and Roane County areas.

The meeting is free and open to anyone with a general interest in animal-assisted therapy. Attendance at an informational meeting is required before a person can become a H.A.B.I.T. volunteer. The next informational meeting will be held on the campus of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture in September.

To ensure availability of handouts, please contact Karen Armsey, H.A.B.I.T. program administrator, at either karmsey@utk.edu or (865) 974-5633 to register for the June meeting. Visit www.vet.utk.edu/habit for more information.

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Contact: Karen Armsey, H.A.B.I.T. Program Administrator at (865) 974-5633 or karmsey@utk.edu