Tender Paws: Bringing Comfort and Love Through Therapy Animal Visits

Welcome to Tender Paws of Clarksville, Tennessee. We are an all volunteer, 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2001, providing animal-assisted therapy to those in need.

Our Therapy Animal Teams visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and libraries within 50 miles of Clarksville, TN.

We bring comfort and healing to individuals through the power of animal interaction.

We also educate the public about the benefits of therapy animals and mentor new teams to become registered under Pet Partners.

Who We Are...

Our Mission

Tender Paws is a network of registered Therapy Animal Teams whose passion is providing comfort, encouragement & hope through human-animal interaction.

We are driven by our genuine love for animals and their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Our animals' profound effect on those they interact with is undeniable, bringing smiles, laughter, and a sense of companionship through their unconditional love and understanding.

Tender Paws is truly making a difference in the lives of those in need, spreading joy and healing one interaction at a time.

Please note:

we are not a service dog organization and do not train service or emotional support dogs.

Some of Our Events and Visits...

• APSU (De-Stress)

• APSU Gov's Camp

• Memory Care Facilities

• Assisted Living Facilities

• Autism Therapy Summer Camp

• Camp Rainbow

• Camp Willow Creek

• Clarksville Montgomery County Library: (Read with Me)

• Department of Children's Services

• Downtown Market: Dog Days

• Fun with Fido: Doggiepalooza

• Fun with Fido: Bark in the Park

• Ft. Campbell Schools

• Hospice Care

• Local Businesses

• Local Churches (VBS)

• Largest Dog Walk

• Local Elementary, Middle, & High Schools

• Meals on Wheels

• National Therapy Animal Day

• Nursing Homes

• Read Across America

• Retirement Communities

• Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital Patient & Staff visits

• Veteran's Home Visits

• Walk to End Alzheimer's

• Warrior Wednesday USO visits at Fort Campbell

Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital Visits

Tender Paws got its start at Clarksville Memorial Hospital more than twenty years ago. Today it's called Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital...and while both the location and the name have changed, we still maintain a special relationship. Vanderbilt Clarksville generously gives us a place to meet and in turn, Tender Paws' Therapy Teams visit with patients and staff at the hospital.

Registered Animal Therapy Teams seeking to visit patients and staff at Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital, please click the link below.

Read With Me™

Clarksville Montgomery County Public Library

Children's Story Theater

Mark your calendars for the

Second Saturday of every month

Main Library: 1-2 PM. North Branch: 3-4 PM.

Reading is essential for personal growth and stress relief. The Pet Partners Read With Me™ program supports readers of all ages and abilities with therapy animals.

Tender Paws helps kids build confidence and love reading by letting them read to therapy dogs. It's a proven method that works wonders.

Tender Paws meets the first Saturday of every month at 10 AM in the Liberty Room of Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital, Clarksville, Tennessee.

For those interested in our organization, please do not bring your animal to your first meeting. We will set up an appointment for an initial screening of your animal.

Monthly Meetings

Tender Paws is a non-profit organization established in 2001 by Adam Munn, a college student at Murray State. Munn was studying occupational safety and needed to complete a community service project for his honor society.

Inspired by a television program about therapy dogs, Munn recognized the potential of his Golden Retriever, Brandy, to serve as a therapy dog. After registering Brandy as a Therapy Animal and starting to make visits, Munn realized that many others would also need guidance and support to begin their journey with therapy animals.

As a result, Adam Munn officially founded Tender Paws to provide the necessary assistance and resources to potential volunteers.

Our History