About

ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY SERVICES IS A 501c3 NON PROFIT ORGANIZTION
AaTs MA is an AKC Approved Therapy Dog Organization
The mission of AaTs is to provide adults and children with with physical, cognitive, and psychosocial disabilities the opportunity to experience the power of the unique human-animal bond as therapeutic intervention thus promoting lifelong health and wellness.

Our Teams


​Kim Fontaine & Keeva
​President & Director

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Kim Fontaine is the President and Director of AaTs Massachusetts and has been working with therapy dogs for over a decade. Kim holds an Associate's Degree in Veterinary Technology from Becker College and obtained her Professional Dog Trainer Certification through Animal Behavior College by apprenticing with Chris Patella, the founder of AaTs CT. Additionally, Kim has been a Massachusetts licensed horseback riding instructor since she was 18 years old and teaches lessons on her two horses, Mac and Lucy.

Additionally, Kim and K9 Keeva are the primary K9 Unit for the Central Massachusetts Critical Incident Stress Management Team and are also a K9 First Responders Dog Team. Both groups provide psychological support to first responders and/or survivors following a traumatic incident using debriefing skills and Psychological First Aid, respectively. As active members, they are regularly attending voluntary training in order to attain additional credentials in this field.
  • A.S. Veterinary Technology from Becker College
  • Certified Dog Trainer from Animal Behavior College
  • AKC Approved CGC Evaluator
  • Certified Pet CPR and First Aid
  • K9 First Responders Dog Team
  • K9 Unit for the Central Massachusetts Critical Incident Stress Management Team
  • AKC Therapy Dog Advanced
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen
  • AKC Community Canine
  • AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen
  • AKC Trick Dog Intermediate
  • Emotional Support Dog (past)

Sam Smith & Copper
Therapy Dog Team

Robin Ingman & Sooley
Therapy Dog Team
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Sam and Copper have been together since she was 4 months old. Copper was adopted through Last Hope K-9 in Boston, MA. Copper is a mix of many breeds, but as far as her parents are concerned, she’s the perfect mutt.

Copper’s parents knew she was a perfect candidate for a therapy dog one afternoon when Copper was about 4 years old. Sam’s friend, Emily came by the house to have a puppy play date. Sam had her back to Emily while she told a story and the dogs were playing. Sam noticed that Copper stopped playing and walked over to Emily and put her head in her lap. Next thing Sam knew, Emily was crying. Copper was aware of a change in Emily’s voice and emotions before Sam ever did and wanted to provide support. Since then, her parents started seeing more and more behaviors similar to this one.
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Copper has since become Canine Good Citizen certified with Kim Fontaine (and Keeva!) and followed with Therapy Dog Training with them as well. Copper’s final test was on the campus of Holy Cross and from her first visitor, Sam knew she made the right decision to get Copper certified! 

Maddy Waters & Sydney
Therapy Dog Team

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​Sydney is a four and a half year old rescue mix originally from Texas. He met Maddy on a rainy Saturday at his Vermont foster home, running right up to her and leaning his full body weight on her for pets, and Maddy knew he was the one she wanted to take home. Even then, underweight and largely untrained, Sydney displayed the joyful friendliness, curiosity, and drive to please that make him such a good therapy dog.

Sydney enjoyed going to the office with Maddy when she worked in outdoor education. He excelled at comforting sick and anxious campers and napping on the office couch. When neither of them are working, Maddy and Sydney still enjoy going on hikes and runs, or just napping on the couch.

Maddy currently works in human services as a Crisis Support Worker on a Mobile Crisis Team, helping children and families who are experiencing behavioral or emotional crises. Maddy plans to attend graduate school for counseling psychology and continue to pursue a career in the mental healthcare field. She is excited to be able to work together with Sydney to promote mental health and emotional wellness.

Michele Monteiro & Ernie
​Therapy Dog Team

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Ernie is a fun loving, happy, bouncy Havanese who has been with Michele and her husband since he was 8 weeks old. From the start, Michele has been taking Ernie to experience social activities and knew that he would be a great therapy dog by the way he loves everyone and gets along well with other dogs. 

Michele is a high school special education teacher at a special education collaborative. Michele’s motivation for having Ernie become a therapy dog was to be able to take him to work with her at school to brighten the students’ spirits.

Ernie has successfully completed Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog Training with Kim Fontaine and Keeva. Michele and Ernie are looking forward to working with others to promote positive mental health and emotional well being. 

Hannah Furno & Moose
Therapy Dog Team

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​Moose is a 1 year old Golden Retriever and has been a part of Hannah's life since he was 8 weeks old. Moose has grown to be a fluffy 75 pounds and still thinks he is a lap dog. He has the best personality and is always there to show unconditional love, which is why Hannah knew he would be a perfect therapy dog.  

Moose enjoys running errands with his parents, especially to the donut shop because he always gets one! He also enjoys visiting with people, no matter who they are and will always be ready to accept pats and give them love. In his spare time, you can find Moose napping, chasing around his cat, Chief, or playing with his big brother Snoop Dogg. Even though Moose enjoys playing at home, he knows when he puts his vest on it is time to work, and his demeanor changes and he is so gentle and sweet.

Hannah and Moose are hoping to make a positive impact on anyone they interact with. Their goals are to be able to visit schools, hospitals and anyone who may be in need of a little love. Moose's motto is "when you need a friend" and he will always be that friend! 

Jasmine Vardigans & Trixie
​Therapy Dog Team

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​Trixie is a 5-year-old Lab/Staffy who joined her family as a “foster fail” in mid-2019. She was rescued off the streets in Alabama and made her way to Massachusetts through Forever Home Rescue New England. Although Trixie was initially placed with her family as a foster, they quickly realized that they could not let her go. 
 
Trixie loves going to work every day with Jasmine, who works in human services supporting people with mental and behavioral health challenges. The first time Jasmine brought Trixie to work, it became immediately obvious that she was special. It was Trixie’s interactions with one client in particular that cemented the idea of training Trixie as a therapy dog. Trixie was drawn to a highly anxious person, and rather than becoming anxious herself, Trixie sat on the person’s feet and leaned her body against them. The person later identified this small action as profoundly comforting. Since then, Trixie has shown in many more ways that she is a natural at providing therapeutic experiences for the people she meets.
 
People are drawn to Trixie's sweet face, spurts of energy, and unreserved displays of affection. Trixie loves to spend time doing everything from playing fetch to snuggling up next to people on the couch. She seems most in her element when she is working one-on-one with people, but she doesn’t mind being surrounded by adoring fans either. Above all else, her favorite thing on this planet is food (just like her mom!) – offer her a treat, and you will immediately find yourself with a new best friend! 
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Sooley came into our lives when she was 3 weeks old.  A friend who knew her family, contacted us and told us she was being sold on Craigslist if she didn’t get someone willing to take her as she was a runt.  We convinced the people to keep her with her mom and siblings until she was 8 weeks old and ready to leave them.  Our “runt” weighs in at 80 pounds and is a German Shepherd/Husky mix.  Sooley is 6 years old now and shows a love of sports. 
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Sooley showed us her ability to read people and her gentle nature from early on.  This does not mean she wants to lay around and be cuddled though.  Her gift in the therapy world is play.  She will play all day long if allowed.  Her favorite form of playing is with sticks.  Throw a stick (or the teeniest twig) and she will retrieve it all day.  She also loves swimming, and scent work.  She’s all about a good game of “find it”. Her sensitivity knows no bounds. If she senses you (or her) are in trouble, she’s will end up scooting right under your legs for support. Ever feel the need for play? Throw a ball, frisbee, stick, or take a hike? Call Sooley! She’ll be happy to hang with you!

Karen Rivera & MJ
Therapy Dog Team

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MJ is a sweet, and loving Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She quickly lifts up spirits. It just comes natural to her. She lives with her two fur parents and handlers, Alejandro and Karen.  

Karen Rivera is a School Adjustment Counselor and has researched having a therapy assistive dog in a school setting.  
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Alejandro likes to be a helper and saw MJ would make such a sweet companion to others.

Kim Sicurella & Ella
Therapy Dog Team

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Kim Sicurella and Ella have been together since Ella was 8 weeks old. Ella is a Shih Tzu and has always loved being around people and other animals. Kim realized Ella was something special when she watched Ella guide and help Mocha. Mocha was Ella’s “older sister”, also a Shih Tzu. Mocha was 13 years old and struggling with seeing, hearing and walking. Ella would help Mocha down the stairs, guide her back up and direct her to the food bowl. Ella was patient and loving with Mocha.
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Ella had the same patience and love for people, especially kids. She loves to cuddle and greet everyone she meets. Ella then became Canine Good Citizen certified and continued on to become a Certified Therapy Dog with the help and guidance of Kim Fontaine and Keeva. Kim Sicurella is a Guidance Counselor at Auburn Middle School and worked with the Auburn Public School system to implement a therapy dog policy to be used in their schools. Ella is Auburn’s 1st therapy dog and is officially a member of the Auburn Middle School staff, working at the school every Tuesday and Thursday. She loves her job and the teachers and students love having her at AMS!

Jennifer Samuels & Mojo
Therapy Dog Team

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Meet Mojo! Mojo is a 1 year old Miki who came into his handler's, Jennifer, life at 8 weeks old. The name "Mojo" means magic charm and this wee man lives up to it. He has a special way to make people laugh, smile, and relax with his cozy, soft hugs and puppy dog kisses. Mojo enjoys greeting everyone he meets and loves children. Due to his size, he prefers the gentle approach and soft touch of humans. He is super affectionate and if you're lucky he will show you his army crawl. 
 
Mojo is a hard worker and worked his way through puppy class, became a AKC Canine Good Citizen and finally a Certified Therapy Dog with Aats M.A. By day, he works as a Therapy Dog with Jennifer (School Adjustment Counselor) at East Brookfield Elementary School. Mojo has been an important part of the Therapy Team since he started is career in September, 2020. He brings joy to both students and staff members and helps alleviate anxieties, particularly during stressful times. Mojo has also worked to assist healthcare workers and surgeons at UMass Hospital. 
 
When Mojo isn't working, he loves to play with his canine companion (65lb pointer mix), or relax with Jennifer on the couch to decompress after a long day at work. He is a talented doggy yogi but only practices his moves while sleeping. 
 
Mojo is super excited to meet new friends and spread as much joy and love as he can. Don't let his size fool you. After all, all great things come in small packages. @therapydogmojo

Rachel & Lexi Henderson 
Addison & Arizona
Therapy Dog Teams

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Addison and Arizona are Goldendoodle sisters and have been with their handlers Lexi and Rachel since they were 8 weeks old. Their gentle demeanor started to really shine when they were first introduced to young children, and grew even stronger through their AaTs training. The girls have a knack for sensing when someone is upset or doesn’t feel well, refusing to leave their side. 

Lexi is a nurse and Rachel is a teacher, so there are so many opportunities for the girls to provide healing with their loving, fluffy paws! There is plenty of doodle love to go around! 

Tony Cadogan & Rusty
Therapy Dog Team

Coming soon!!
Photography:  Karyn Marquis Photography & MJS Image