Companions for Courage

Companions for Courage Companions for Courage is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group made up of volunteer handlers with special Therapy Animals.

Adele Simons and Companion Livvie do a lot of work for us behind the scenes but also work at Nemours Children’s Hospital...
06/03/2026

Adele Simons and Companion Livvie do a lot of work for us behind the scenes but also work at Nemours Children’s Hospital in the Animal Assisted Activity program. Livvie is quiet, calm, focused on her task, and appropriately affectionate, which is so helpful in making everyone smile.

One of our newest teams, Terri Demarest and Companion Gamora have made visits to the courthouses in Orlando and Tavares....
06/02/2026

One of our newest teams, Terri Demarest and Companion Gamora have made visits to the courthouses in Orlando and Tavares. Gamora is a Boxer and is named after the fierce superhero from Guardians of the Galaxy. Her name may sound tough, but she’s really just a cuddle powered sweetheart. She was rescued with love from the Florida Boxer Rescue Group and is now living her best hero life spreading joy wherever she goes. Gamora happily accepts pets and melts hearts one wag at a time. Proof that the strongest heroes are also the softest.

This is Debbie Dixon with Companion Kaiyah. This hard-working team spreads their time across the 5th and 18th Judicial ...
06/01/2026

This is Debbie Dixon with Companion Kaiyah. This hard-working team spreads their time across the 5th and 18th Judicial Circuits, with many visits to the courthouse in Sanford. Kaiyah enjoys her job as a Therapy Dog too, and especially loves her visits with the children at Camp Boggy Creek.

Dan Martin and Companion Bo spend a lot of their time in the 9th Judicial Circuit’s Early Childhood Court and Family Dep...
05/31/2026

Dan Martin and Companion Bo spend a lot of their time in the 9th Judicial Circuit’s Early Childhood Court and Family Dependency Drug Court at the Juvenile Justice Center in Orlando. Bo is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever who loves swimming and being a Therapy Dog. He loves to meet new people and will gladly sit on your feet and lean into you. Bo is a certified Therapy Dog with PAWS Therapy Dogs in Florida and with Therapy Dogs of Vermont in Vermont, where they spend their summers. He is earnestly following in the pawsteps of his predecessor, one of our founding Companions, Jake.

Meet Carol West with Companion Yoo Hoo. Yoo Hoo is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever with a master’s degree in tail-waggin...
05/30/2026

Meet Carol West with Companion Yoo Hoo. Yoo Hoo is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever with a master’s degree in tail-wagging and a PhD in spreading joy. Her real name is Yodel Lady Yoo Hoo, but to be honest, it’s way more fun to shout across out “Yoo Hoo” when trying to get her attention. You can find this team working in the 5th Judicial Circuit, and even though they are one of our newest teams, Yoo Hoo helped secure a guilty verdict on her very first case earlier this year.

This is Linda Brendlinger with Companion Piper. Piper is an Airedale Terrier, and while the Airedale is known as the “K...
05/29/2026

This is Linda Brendlinger with Companion Piper. Piper is an Airedale Terrier, and while the Airedale is known as the “King of the Terriers,” Piper is more of a Princess. You will find this team working hard in Volusia County, where they often make visits to ReNew Recovery Café. In her spare time, Piper competes in the National Association of Canine Nose work and will always give you a good sniff!

Adria Kelley with Companions Lucy & Darla can be found working across the 7th and 9th Judicial Circuits where they work ...
05/28/2026

Adria Kelley with Companions Lucy & Darla can be found working across the 7th and 9th Judicial Circuits where they work with many different outreach programs. Lucy weighs in at just over 6 pounds, so she is also easy to cuddle. She also has over 600 documented therapy calls and has earned the Therapy Dog Supreme title. Darla (who is Lucy’s aunt), enjoys having children read to her and never refuses to answer the call to help someone feel better.

Vickie Schroeder and Companion Levi are another team that work all across Central Florida, but mainly focus their attent...
05/27/2026

Vickie Schroeder and Companion Levi are another team that work all across Central Florida, but mainly focus their attention in Flager, Volusia, and Seminole Counties. They participate in events as varied as visits to ReNew Recovery Café in Daytona to the Injunction Court in Sanford. Levi is a Golden Retriever who truly loves everyone and everything. He began his life in a Service Dog organization and now enjoys Rally & Obedience training/competitions, along with being a therapy dog.

As the President of Companions for Courage, Joanne Rittenhouse manages our caseloads and all the different events we att...
05/26/2026

As the President of Companions for Courage, Joanne Rittenhouse manages our caseloads and all the different events we attend throughout the year. She is pictured here with Companion Douglas, or as his friends call him “Doug”. Doug is a lovable white Boxer who is fluent in American Sign Language, as he is deaf. He loves giving comfort to anyone who needs him, and in his free time he especially loves long walks on the beach and watching sunsets.

Barbie Batson and Companion Grizzly get a lot of attention wherever they go. Grizzley is a German Indian Dog weighing i...
05/25/2026

Barbie Batson and Companion Grizzly get a lot of attention wherever they go. Grizzley is a German Indian Dog weighing in at 118 pounds. He enjoys everyone he meets and is sincere and passionate when it comes to his job as a therapy dog. He dearly loves children with all his heart and will form a unique bond that is special between him and the child. As a team, they have attended court sessions all across Central Florida but are especially loved for their time spent in the Seminole County Courthouse.

Address

400 W. Woodward Avenue
Eustis, FL
32726

Telephone

+13524063990

Website

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