Pets on Wheels Hosts Annual Fundraisers in Timonium

When Vicki Rummel goes room to room in nursing homes and hospitals trying to make patients feel better, she often goes unnoticed.

Instead, her four legged friend Jillian takes center stage wagging her tail and offering the nape of her neck for petting.

Rummel is the executive director of Pets on Wheels, a non-profit organization that brings dogs, cats and other friendly critters to people in care centers who are seeking companionship (and the healing power of animals). 

“So many people in nursing homes don’t get visitors,” Rummel said. “The first year you might go see mom on Christmas. The next year it might be ‘Oh well too busy, sorry Mom.’

“Everybody benefits. The dogs benefit. We benefit. The people we visit, even the nursing staff,” she continued.

The concept of dogs helping ease patient suffering or loneliness is not new. Read the 2008 New York Times article "The Healing Power of Dogs."

Pets on Wheels even goes as far as helping to encourage children to read.

“Kids who are self conscious about reading in front of an adult don’t care about reading in front of a dog because they don’t know the words either,” Rummel said.

The organization hosted its 7th annual Pet-a-PAW-looza and Dog-A-Thon fundraisers over the weekend at the

Pet (mostly dog) lovers from across the state gathered in the exhibition hall for a parade, games, adoption information and resources for their furry friends.

This was the first year the fundraiser was held at the fairgrounds, after moving from Oregon Ridge Park. 

Click here for more information about volunteering your pet to Pets on Wheels.