Anna & Esther: A Pet Therapy Team in the Making

When Esther and I began our Pet Partners training, I never imagined how meaningful a simple trading card could become. These small, colorful keepsakes, featuring our therapy animals, are so much more than souvenirs; they’re a way to carry comfort beyond the visit.

Even though Esther is still training and practicing mock visits, creating her trading cards has already become one of my favorite parts of this journey. They capture her gentle Saint Bernard spirit and allow others to remember the joy she brings, even during practice sessions.

Why Trading Cards Matter

During a visit, even a mock one, emotions often run high. People smile, laugh, and sometimes even tear up as they pet Esther’s soft fur or tell stories about their own pets. But when the visit ends, those moments can feel fleeting. A trading card offers something tangible, a small keepsake that reminds them of warmth, joy, and companionship.

Clients can tuck the card into a book, tape it to a wall, or keep it on their nightstand. For those in long-term care or hospice, that little card can serve as a gentle reminder that love still shows up, even in the form of fur and paw prints.

🐶 Sharing Joy and Information

Trading cards are also a fantastic way to share information about our therapy animals. Esther’s card includes her photo, age, breed, favorite toy (the squeaky ball, of course!), and her favorite treat, sweet potato. It helps people see her as an individual, not just a visiting dog.

For children, cards often become fun conversation starters. They’ll ask, “What’s a Saint Bernard?” or “Does Esther really ride in her dad’s truck?” Suddenly, the visit becomes interactive, personal, and educational; just as Pet Partners hopes every interaction will be.

Connection That Lasts

Pet Partners encourages handlers to consider how they build trust and connection, not just during visits, but between them. Trading cards act as a gentle bridge between those moments, a way to say, “I’ll see you again.”

Even during training, Esther’s cards have helped open doors and spark meaningful exchanges. Each mock visit provides us with an opportunity to practice teamwork, communication, and empathy, the very skills we’ll carry into our future therapy work.

When Esther completes her Pet Partners certification, these same trading cards will take on even greater significance. They’ll accompany her on real visits, to hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice centers, offering clients a way to keep a small piece of her calm and kindness close.

Every handler’s card tells a story, and together they remind us that kindness and comfort come in many forms, sometimes on four legs with a drooly grin.