The wagging tails that have comforted Santa Barbara locals are now making waves across the country. Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara has gone national, rebranding as Therapy Dogs of America and expanding its programs to the East Coast.
The nonprofit, long known for its calming presence in places like Santa Barbara, Solvang, Santa Ynez and Ventura County, is launching its first out-of-state chapter in White Plains, New York. The move marks a significant milestone for an organization built on a simple but powerful idea: that the right dog, at the right moment, can change someone’s day or even their life.
At the heart of this expansion are the dogs themselves. Like Mazda, affectionately called
“Chillow,” whose mellow demeanor makes him the go-to companion for anxious travelers and overstimulated kids. Mazda can sleep through anything, from airport announcements to squealing toddlers; but if you dangle a carrot, he’s up and ready to charm.
Then there’s Jagger, also known as “Jagger D’Wagger,” whose gift lies in his intuition.
“They tend to approach the people who need them most,” said his owner, Cat Torrejón-Nisbet. At the Santa Barbara Airport, Jagger’s presence has comforted everyone from nervous flyers to lonely passengers waiting out long layovers.
During a recent visit, one of those passengers was Laylah Bateman, who met therapy dog Rogue, a golden retriever, on her way to visit family. “I’m leaving my mom today, and it’s very nice to have the dog here,” Bateman said. “They brightened my day before a long trip.”
Rogue volunteers alongside Kim Lieberman, a retired educator from the Chico Unified
School District. Lieberman has trained not just as a therapy dog handler but also as a
mindfulness instructor for the organization’s Wag Well Mindfulness Program, one of the
initiatives now going national. The program uses dogs’ calming presence to help
children build emotional awareness and reduce stress.
“If we can help people even a little bit, then each day it’s worth it,” Lieberman said.
That sense of purpose also drives ARF! short for “Animals + Reading = Fun,” another
core program that is heading east. In ARF!, school-age children practice reading aloud to
therapy dogs, boosting literacy and confidence while gaining a nonjudgmental listener
and a furry friend.
Another frequent destination for the dogs is local senior living centers, where they spark joy and ease loneliness. Residents light up when their four-legged visitors arrive, often reminiscing about pets from their past or simply enjoying the calm presence of a soft head in their lap.
Each dog brings something different to the table—or the airport terminal, classroom, or care home.
Some, like Mazda, are quiet anchors. Others, like Jagger, are social butterflies. And many, like Rogue, seem to carry wisdom in their eyes and comfort in their steps.
As Therapy Dogs of America continues to grow, its mission remains unchanged: to bring
joy, comfort, and connection to communities one visit, one child, one wag at a time.
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