Summary
Organization name
Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado
other names
AATPC
2012
Tax id (EIN)
45-4423891
Category
Mental Health & Crisis Intervention
Address
7275 Kipling StreetArvada, CO 80005
Jefferson County, CO, US
About
Testimonials
As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our donors to keep our doors open and our services available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Because we are more than a counseling center, the money we earn through traditional counseling fees does not fully support our organization. Areas like animal care and low-fee sessions for low-income clients are where we need your support the most. Your support will:
- Fund sessions for low-income clients who are unable to afford services without your help.
- Support the care of our 30+ rescued animals.
- Support basic operational necessities - like ink for the copier!
Your support is critically important as we prepare to serve more clients than ever before. We faced the hard truth that we physically cannot help everyone as quickly as we need to. We have a 6+ month waiting list of more than 80 people. That's why, after years of preparation, a new wing currently being constructed adding 6 more counseling rooms, improving ADA accessibility and increasing staff space. This is a historic period of time for Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado. Be part of our history. Donate today.
Mission
Through our counseling and training programs, Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado provides and promotes animal assisted psychotherapy with rescued animals to facilitate healing for all people in need. Our motto is "Rescued Animals Rescuing People".
Background Statement
Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado (AATPC) was founded in 2010 by Dr. Linda Chassman and Ellen Winston. It was one of the first counseling centers in the nation to integrate teams of professional therapists with a variety of rescued therapy animals to facilitate the counseling and psychotherapy process. The organization expanded its mission to include educational opportunities for professionals seeking to enter the growing field of animal assisted psychotherapy in 2011. Then, after realizing access to mental health services was a challenge for many Coloradans who were low-income, under-insured, or uninsured, AATPC received its 501(c)(3) designation in 2013. It became AATPC’s mission to ensure animal assisted psychotherapy was available to everyone regardless of their ability to pay, including clients enrolled in Medicaid.
Today, Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado serves more than 350 clients annually and continues to grow steadily. The organization has been featured in various articles and was named the 2021 Non-Profit of the Year by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. While AATPC serves a wide range of individuals, the majority of its clientele (70%) can be described as people under the age of 24 with a household income of less than $50,000 a year. AATPC has become a favored referral site for Probation, Victims Assistance and Social Services organizations around Colorado, and works closely with area graduate programs such as University of Denver and Regis University, to provide masters-level internships for young professionals entering the field.
AATPC looks forward to a future of even greater impact on the Denver Metro community by rescuing more animals and offering much needed mental and behavioral health services, specifically Animal Assisted Psychotherapy, to all.
Media gallery
Organization Data
Arvada, CO 80005