Mission Statement:
To provide enjoyment and enrichment to the lives of individuals through the use of animal assisted activities

Noah is a 4 year old domestic gray tiger strip cat who
was adopted from La Crescent Animal Rescue by the
Ellingson family, and was the first participant in the
program by paying a visit to La Crescent Health Care
residents. Noah enjoys cuddling and purring softly while
being petted.

Addy May is a 1 year old gray tiger/calico mix cat
who was offered in a corsage box as a prom gift to
Gwen Ellingson. Addy May loves giving kisses and
rubbing noses. Addy is very affectionate and enjoys
chasing jingle balls.

Maggie is a 6 year old Cockapoo and is part of the Luoma family. She is our first certified dog participant and her favorite game is fetch.
Maggie hopes to be our first Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.)and she looks forward to spending time at the La Crescent Public Library listening to children read.

Starburst is a 3 year old registered American Miniature
Horse. Star joined the Ellingson family in 2007 as a young filly and made her public debut in the 2009 La Crescent Apple Fest parade representing La Crescent Animal Rescue. Star’s favorite treats include mini carrots and apple slices.

3 year old Lexi was adopted from the Coulee Region Humane Society in April 2009 by the Hauser family. She recently  completed her Basic Obedience class and is enrolled in the Canine Good Citizenship Certification sessions. Lexi enjoys her daily walks and playing with other dogs.

1 year old Charlie was also adopted by the Hauser family from the Coulee Region Humane Society in January 2010. Charlie has been paying visits to area care centers since last fall and is really starting to enjoy strutting around at various facilities. Charlie especially enjoys watching the birds in the indoor aviaries at the centers and playing with jingle balls.

 

Mowgli (aka Mo) is a 4 year old English Shepherd mix. He was rescued by Amber Cordes from the Coulee Region Humane Society when he was 6 months old and has been the love of her life ever since! She instantly noticed something special in Mo and decided to make him a therapy dog. His affectionate and loving nature makes him very popular with everyone who meets him. Mowgli shares his home with Buddy, a rescued Greyhound mix. Mowgli and Amber are so excited to join the Touching Moments team. 

Tammy is a 9 year old pure bred Sheltie that Karen Hart raised from a pup. Daily walks and playing in the yard are two favorite activities of Tammy's. Tammy loves being petted and is small enough to be placed on resident’s laps for extra attention.

 

Ash: 3 year old Ash was born in late Summer on the Groenwald farm and became a housecat when it just got too darned cold in the barn for such a little boy. Mentored in the ways of the world by his buddy Skittles, Ash in turn enjoys being a mentor himself. His current project is a one-eyed blind kitten who needs lots of work. A very social cat, Ash spends his days wrestling with his brother Pappy, organizing rousing games of tag with all his cat friends, and being in everybody else's business.

TLeonidas (AKA Leo, AKA Floofy): 1 of a litter of 5 black kittens rescued by the Groenwalds from a roadside park in Michigan, Leo is more the king of hearts than the king of Sparta. An entrepreneurial sort, Leo's a firm believer in location, location, location: his favorite being sprawled across walkways so he can charge belly rub tolls for passage. Leo's favorite activities are being admired and adored, and getting his belly rubbed. He is also inordinately fond of any toy with feathers.

Cocoa is a 6-month-old English Short Hair (American) guinea pig.  She has been a member of the Schwartzhoff family since August 2010 and  has been part of the program since last fall. Cocoa made her debut at the La Crescent Golden Living Center last November and has been paying visits to various facilities ever since.