Meet River: The Adorable Golden Retriever Named Pet Partners' 2025 Pet of the Year
In an exciting culmination of a six-week fundraising competition, River, a charming golden retriever from Rowayton, Connecticut, has been awarded the title of 2025 Pet Partners Pet of the Year. This delightful pup has captivated hearts nationwide, not only through his irresistible charm but also by generating an impressive $14,141 in donations, all of which will go towards supporting therapy animal visits across the country.
River's journey to this prestigious title began with his dedicated human companion, Katy Rahe, who has been passionately involved with Pet Partners since 2019, both as a volunteer and an evaluator. The competition welcomed 134 pets from across the nation, including participants from 34 states, the UK, and Romania. It featured a diverse array of competitors such as dogs, cats, rabbits, llamas, and even a guinea pig! Their joint efforts resulted in a remarkable fundraising total exceeding $80,000, thereby enhancing the vital work of the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program.
The bond between River and Katy is profound, as she mentions, "Being a volunteer with Pet Partners, both as an evaluator and handler with River, I see firsthand the connection of the human-animal bond and the impact it makes." This powerful sentiment fuels their commitment to continue serving as ambassadors for Pet Partners throughout the year.
River and Katy utilized various fun and engaging fundraising methods to raise money for their campaign. They reached out to family and friends for donations, organized a raffle, and even collaborated with a local boutique to host a shopping event. The competition was fierce, with other remarkable pets like Koda from Bangor, Maine and Ruby from Newington, Connecticut trailing closely with $12,567.36, showcasing the competitive spirit among the participants.
Katy expressed her gratitude, stating, "I am both deeply humbled and excited that River was named 2025 Pet Partners Pet of the Year. I am grateful for everyone who contributed to and supported Pet Partners on behalf of River." As the recent winner, River not only garners a national title but also receives a range of prizes and opportunities, including a professional photoshoot and features on popular podcasts like the national Oh Behave! show on Pet Life Radio.
Pet Partners, founded in 1977, is dedicated to registering therapy animal volunteer teams and ensuring they receive the highest quality preparation for meaningful visits. Their mission is centered on enhancing the physical, social, and emotional lives of individuals in need through the unique human-animal bond. By participating in events like the fundraiser, River and other nominees highlight the incredible ways therapy animals make a difference in people's lives.
Those eager to learn more about River's inspiring story or to support the mission of Pet Partners and the invaluable work of therapy animals can find additional information and opportunities at petpartners.org. As we celebrate River's victory, let’s acknowledge the incredible role pets play in our lives and the significant impacts they have on mental and emotional health.
River's journey to this prestigious title began with his dedicated human companion, Katy Rahe, who has been passionately involved with Pet Partners since 2019, both as a volunteer and an evaluator. The competition welcomed 134 pets from across the nation, including participants from 34 states, the UK, and Romania. It featured a diverse array of competitors such as dogs, cats, rabbits, llamas, and even a guinea pig! Their joint efforts resulted in a remarkable fundraising total exceeding $80,000, thereby enhancing the vital work of the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program.
The bond between River and Katy is profound, as she mentions, "Being a volunteer with Pet Partners, both as an evaluator and handler with River, I see firsthand the connection of the human-animal bond and the impact it makes." This powerful sentiment fuels their commitment to continue serving as ambassadors for Pet Partners throughout the year.
River and Katy utilized various fun and engaging fundraising methods to raise money for their campaign. They reached out to family and friends for donations, organized a raffle, and even collaborated with a local boutique to host a shopping event. The competition was fierce, with other remarkable pets like Koda from Bangor, Maine and Ruby from Newington, Connecticut trailing closely with $12,567.36, showcasing the competitive spirit among the participants.
Katy expressed her gratitude, stating, "I am both deeply humbled and excited that River was named 2025 Pet Partners Pet of the Year. I am grateful for everyone who contributed to and supported Pet Partners on behalf of River." As the recent winner, River not only garners a national title but also receives a range of prizes and opportunities, including a professional photoshoot and features on popular podcasts like the national Oh Behave! show on Pet Life Radio.
Pet Partners, founded in 1977, is dedicated to registering therapy animal volunteer teams and ensuring they receive the highest quality preparation for meaningful visits. Their mission is centered on enhancing the physical, social, and emotional lives of individuals in need through the unique human-animal bond. By participating in events like the fundraiser, River and other nominees highlight the incredible ways therapy animals make a difference in people's lives.
Those eager to learn more about River's inspiring story or to support the mission of Pet Partners and the invaluable work of therapy animals can find additional information and opportunities at petpartners.org. As we celebrate River's victory, let’s acknowledge the incredible role pets play in our lives and the significant impacts they have on mental and emotional health.
Topics People & Culture）
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