PALS ON PAWS is a chapter of Therapy Dogs International which is based in the far Northwestern suburbs of Minneapolis, including Elk River, Anoka, Ramsey, Fridley, Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Park and surrounding communities. Pals On Paws was founded the summer of 1997 by Lori Whitwam, after she moved to the area and discovered there was no active chapter of Therapy Dogs International in the area for her to join with her registered therapy dog, Ripley. The group is now under the joint directorship of Pat Kinch and Jaci Carufel.  The goal of Pals On Paws is to train and maintain a group of handler/dog volunteer teams to make visits to local hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and other facilities for the purpose of cheering patients and staff. Our dogs are registered with Therapy Dogs International, Inc. Contact Pat Kinch or Jaci Carufel, Directors, at 14051  55th St NE, St Michael, MN  55376, or email at srott@charter.net  St MinneSomePlace has contributed $3000 to Pals on Paws.