Above & Beyond
We’re not just animal people, we’re people people.
Pet Care Assistance client, Elizabeth, and her dog, Honey.
From kids to seniors, over the last 30 years, thousands of people in Marin have been touched by our Community Engagement program. And it all started with a bright, sunny-natured girl named Erica Ettinger.
From an early age, Erica recognized the invaluable love, support, and companionship that pets offer, especially to someone who’s ill or isolated. When she visited a convalescent hospital with her dog, Marcy, it made a big impression on her.
When a tragic bicycle accident in September 1987 took her life at age eight, Erica’s family set up a memorial fund to continue her dream of making the world a better place for animals. In 1988, the fund grew enough to allow it to evolve into a successful program.
Today, Community Engagement consists of many diverse programs that strengthen the bond between people and animals and provide healing to those who need it most.
Animal-Assisted Programs
Marin Humane volunteers and their trained animal ambassadors bring joy to those in senior communities, comfort to patients and families in hospitals and under hospice care, smiles to children in our community facing challenges, and much more.
Youth Programs
Humane education is more than just learning about pet care or preventing neglect or abuse. It raises awareness and respect for both animals and people, and it engages kids by empowering them to make their own humane choices.
Pet Safety Net
Provides veterinary care, vaccinations, nutritious food, and other services to pets of low-income residents by creating a lifeline that will connect animals in need with local veterinarians and other vital services.
Pet Loss Support
Losing a beloved pet can be a painful and traumatic experience. A pet loss support group may be able to help.
Pet Care Assistance
Pet guardians in need receive ongoing support to assist with caring for their beloved pets.
Share a Book
Kids learning to read build confidence and improve literacy skills by reading in a non-judgmental environment to a great audience – dogs!
Community Engagement is also a resource for many other organizations and people. We regularly work with nonprofits, schools, hospitals, and more.
As Erica’s story shows, one person really can make a difference. Today, Marin Humane’s Community Engagement programs continue to thrive through generous donations, grants, and the support of volunteers.
Watch an inspiring video about a young girl who gained confidence reading thanks to the help of some four-legged friends!
Upcoming Community Engagement Events
Share-A-Book (Mill Valley)
Mill Valley, CA 94941 United States
Marin Humane’s Share a Book program works closely with local teachers and librarians to help children improve literacy skills while offering them an opportunity to have fun reading – to dogs! Please call the host library to reserve a spot. Read more about Share a Book.
Find out more »Share-A-Book (Larkspur)
Larkspur, CA 94939
Marin Humane’s Share a Book program works closely with local teachers and librarians to help children improve literacy skills while offering them an opportunity to have fun reading – to dogs! Please call the host library to reserve a spot. Read more about Share a Book.
Find out more »Share-A-Book (San Anselmo)
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Marin Humane’s Share a Book program works closely with local teachers and librarians to help children improve literacy skills while offering them an opportunity to have fun reading – to dogs! Please call the host library to reserve a spot. Read more about Share a Book.
Find out more »Share-A-Book (Sausalito)
Sausalito, CA 94965 United States
Marin Humane’s Share a Book program works closely with local teachers and librarians to help children improve literacy skills while offering them an opportunity to have fun reading – to dogs! Please call the host library to reserve a spot. Read more about Share a Book.
Find out more »
