Pet Connections

Pet Connections offers animal-assisted programs, community opportunities & employment for people with disabilities or other challenges.

Connecting animals and people is what Pet Connections is all about! Pet Connections, a division of Ontario ARC, combines the healing power of pets with socialization to provide a unique experience for each person. Pet Connections was created in 2012 as the first of its kind Animal Assisted Intervention (commonly known as pet therapy) resource specifically developed to benefit people with disabilities or other challenges. Pet Connections is expanding in the Fall of 2017 to include even more community volunteer opportunities by offering Animal Assisted Intervention volunteer certification and membership! Similar to national organizations, Pet Connections will offer certified volunteers with access to individualized volunteer opportunities, unique training and workshops as well as the same liability insurance coverage.

10/20/2025

Pet Connections (a division of The Arc Ontario) creates opportunities through animal-assisted programs, providing job training, community connections, and services like therapy dog certification.

This summer was exceptionally busy! Nine dogs completed Level 1 training on their path to certification. Even more impressively, 11 new handler-dog teams successfully passed their initial certification and are already actively volunteering across the region.

In August, for National Dog Month, our dedicated volunteer teams ramped up their community support, making special visits to The Arc Ontario’s Eberhardt Center, assisting with student orientation at Keuka College, and more.

09/11/2025

Karen Williams and her therapy dog Casey brought comfort and smiles to Keuka College yesterday. Thank you for your time Karen and Casey.

For more information regarding our services, visit PetConnections.org

08/26/2025

This morning was filled with joy and wagging tails at the Eberhardt Center!

Thank you to our wonderful Pet Connections volunteers and their amazing therapy dogs who brought so much joy and comfort to our participants. Your visits truly make a difference.

Thank you to:
Karen and Buster
Andy and Bennett
Helen and Elfie
Rita and Sammy

We are grateful for your time and for sharing your companions with us!

08/25/2025

Thank you to our wonderful Pet Connections volunteer teams, Karen and her dog Casey, and Lindsey with her dog Molly, for their visit to Thompson Hospital today!

Their time and compassion brought so many smiles to patients and staff. We are proud of our volunteers and the incredible comfort they provide to our community!

08/20/2025

After many years of service, we're celebrating the retirement of one of our volunteers, Cody!

Cody, along with his owner Pam, has been an invaluable part of the Pet Connections family. They were instrumental in starting and maintaining a reading program at East Rochester Elementary School, bringing comfort and joy to countless students.

Thank you, Cody, for all the smiles, tail wags, and comfort you've provided over the years. We wish you a very happy and well-deserved retirement filled with all the belly rubs and treats you could ask for!

08/04/2025

Happy International Assistance Dog Week!

This week, we're celebrating the incredible, life-changing work of assistance dogs and the profound bond they share with their human partners. These extraordinary canines provide independence, safety, and companionship, making a world of difference every single day.

At Bad Dog Boutique, we're proud to be a social enterprise of The Arc Ontario, and our commitment to empowering individuals extends to our furry friends and the vital services that support them. Did you know that our sister social enterprise, Pet Connections, offers expert dog training, including therapy dog training?

Together, we're building a more inclusive community and supporting the incredible animals that enhance lives. Join us in honoring these amazing dogs and the organizations dedicated to their training and care!

07/14/2025

CHECK OUT THE LEVEL 2 CLASS STARTING IN AUGUST
Hosted by Pet Connections and Animal Assisted Therapy Professional
Gail Furst, CPDT KA

LEVEL 2 - CONNECTING WITH YOUR PET & OTHERS
August 18 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM

This course will focus on the application of skills from Level One, using real life scenarios to progress your training, as well as the addition of more advanced behaviors. Using games, mock set-ups, and practical scenarios, you will learn to better apply the tools that you and your dog have previously developed. Coupled with the introduction of advanced skills, you and your dog will work together to improve manners and interactions with guests as well as behavior while out and about.

Topics and skills covered include:
• Developing a reliable “leave-it” and recall
• Politely Greeting People and Other Dogs
• Identifying Signs of Stress in Your Dog & Solutions
• Continued Development of Calmness Around Distractions
• Improving Loose Leash Walking

Throughout the course, dogs and their handlers will be coached & observed on success of skills as well as other class content. Individualized recommendations for moving forward will be provided and based on each team’s progress and personal goals. The AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) will be offered following successful completion of this course to interested teams.

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day from your friends at Pet Connections!

We're sorry, we are closed today.

Let's celebrate the freedom and opportunities that make America great. May we honor the sacrifices of those who came before us and continue to work together to build a brighter future for all.

Wishing everyone a safe and fun holiday!

06/20/2025

Happy Take Your Dog to Work Day!
We love seeing our furry best friends as our colleagues for the day.

Is your pup joining you at the office today (or your home office)? We want to see it! Share your photos of your dog "working" hard (or hardly working!) in the comments or direct messages.

And if your working dog needs new gear, treats for their next shift, or a post-work grooming session, remember Bad Dog Boutique has everything they need!

05/06/2025

Pictured here are Karen and her dog Buster, members of our Pet Connections therapy team. Buster just got a new hair do at Bad Dog Boutique.

04/17/2025

Pet Connections brought comfort and connection to Keuka College this week with a visit from Casey, one of our certified therapy dogs. These therapeutic visits offer valuable support to students, promoting a positive campus climate and spreading joy and comfort during the academic year.

03/31/2025

Pictured here are Karen Hall, her dog Buster, and groomer Ruth!

Stop by Bad Dog to schedule your dogs hair dyeing or color shampooing service today! All dyes and shampoos are pet safe.

Address

84 South Main Street
Canandaigua, NY
14424

Telephone

+15853947500

Website

http://mypetconnections.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pet Connections posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Pet Connections:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Canandaigua?

Our Story

Pet Connections was started in 2011 because Ontario ARC knew that the deep emotional bond between human and animal has the power to open doors, break down barriers, and create possibilities that never before existed.

Today, Pet Connections has evolved into a comprehensive, full-service set of programs. It is designed to reach not only the people with disabilities or other challenges but the community at large.

Learn more about us at mypetconnections.org!