Lucy Halter was introduced to AIR™ in 2017 when she brought her
Standard Poodle Lily to a therapy dog class that AIR Co-founder Tricia
Baker was teaching. After Lily received her Therapy Dog certification,
she and Lucy joined AIR’s therapy dog program, joining other
dog/handler teams into schools to teach students about mental health.
Prior to joining AIR, Lucy spent 12 years volunteering for Court
Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), working with the family court to
assist with children involved in the foster care system. During a hiatus
from CASA, she met a therapy dog who was visiting with her mother
in a hospital. “That’s when I knew that pet therapy was what I wanted
to do. There were a few steps to get through. For one thing, I did not
own a dog,” Lucy said.
Two years later, Lucy adopted Lily and they were ready to start
therapy dog classes. There was a flyer about AIR with the training
materials at the first class.

“The therapy dogs are an integral part of the AIR program, helping the
children to connect and participate in this important conversation. It is
gratifying to work with the Bakers and AIR, helping them get their
message into the schools,”         Lucy said.