The Good Dog Foundation Gala
For a Good Cause
By: Jessica Robinson - May 24, 2025
On a rainy Tuesday evening, May 13th, New York’s historic Edison Ballroom glowed with warmth and wagging tails. Inside the Art Deco landmark—its tufted leather walls, illuminated glass tiles, and glittering chandeliers polished to a cinematic gleam—guests gathered for a gala benefiting the Good Dog Foundation, a nonprofit that trains therapy dogs to bring comfort where it’s needed most.
Fourteen of those therapy dogs, affectionately dubbed “Good Dogs,” worked the room like seasoned pros, weaving among cocktail tables, leaning into outstretched hands, and offering the kind of gentle presence that’s become their calling card in hospitals, schools, and even correctional facilities.
As the Juilliard Jazz Trio played smooth, laid-back tunes, guests—some dressed to the nines, others in dog-friendly attire—sipped drinks and knelt in heels or loafers to scratch an ear or sneak a belly rub.
The evening promised not only an opportunity to support the foundation’s impactful work, but also a chance to mingle, pet, and cuddle the foundation’s beloved therapy dogs. “What impressed me about all of them was how they allowed humans to pet them without getting excited or aggressive in any way,” said Dr. Anne Martin, a psychotherapist and former Social Services Manager at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “It’s as if they’re aware of the service they are providing. It’s not just instinct—it’s connection.”
That sense of connection isn’t just anecdotal. Scientific studies support the perception that interacting with a calm, friendly dog lowers cortisol and increases oxytocin—the so-called “love hormone”—which contributes to a sense of calm, trust, and psychological stability. At Sloan Kettering, Good Dog teams provide solace to patients navigating difficult treatments. In schools, they help anxious students decompress. And in courtrooms and recovery programs, their presence has been shown to help individuals battling addiction stay emotionally engaged.
A short film screened midway through the evening—Dogs Who Save the World—highlighted the foundation’s expansive reach. It featured students at Juilliard unwinding with therapy dogs after hours of intensive rehearsals, bankers at Barclays using dog visits to reset during high-stress workdays, and judges describing how therapy dogs assist participants in drug court programs. “The program is designed to help people with addiction get clean, stay clean, and avoid reoffending,” said Vanessa Manzi Cantwe of the New York State Court System. “The dogs bring something that no human therapist quite can.”
Seeing the dogs in action left many guests wondering how they, too, could get involved. The Good Dog Foundation offers a comprehensive training program for dogs and their handlers, preparing them for the sensitive and emotionally demanding environments they may enter.
The process begins with basic training for both dog and owner—learning how to remain calm in stressful situations, follow commands reliably, and interact positively with people of all ages and backgrounds. Once certified, therapy dog teams are matched with partner facilities based on need—whether it’s a hospital room, a classroom, a prison or other organizations.
The foundation also offers ongoing support and resources to ensure its volunteers feel confident as they bring comfort to others.
If you’ve ever thought your dog might make a great therapy companion, the Good Dog Foundation is always looking for dedicated volunteers. It’s more than a way to give back, it’s a chance to become part of something truly transformative—one wagging tail at a time.
By the end of the evening, the message was clear: The Good Dog Foundation’s work is not just about training therapy dogs—it’s about creating connections, healing hearts, and fostering hope. As guests made their way home, many carried with them not just memories of a beautiful night but a deeper understanding of why therapy dogs matter—and why supporting the Good Dog Foundation means supporting the well-being of people everywhere.
To learn more about becoming a Good Dog volunteer, click here: https://thegooddogfoundation.org/about-us/
PHOTO CREDIT: Carri Nichols
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