About Tender Paws of Clarksville, TN

Tender Paws is a non-profit volunteer organization of Therapy Animal Teams. We are committed to enhancing the well-being of individuals through animal-assisted therapy. Our teams bring comfort, companionship, and joy to those in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and libraries. We also educate the public about the benefits of therapy animals and mentor new teams to become registered under Pet Partners.

Members of Tender Paws pose for a photo with their Therapy Animals after the meeting on 4 August 202

A Pet Partners Alpaca Therapy team visit two men .

While “Tender Paws” is our local Therapy Animal Group here in Clarksville, Tennessee, our Teams follow the policies and procedures set forth by Pet Partners.

Training, evaluation, and registration also follow Pet Partners' standards. Team registration with Pet Partners also provides Therapy Animal Teams with liability insurance.

Pet Partners

“In an age of research when it is tempting to reduce emotions to biochemical reactions and to rely heavily on the technology of medicine, it is refreshing to find that a person’s health and well-being may be improved by prescribing contact with other living things.”

— Michael J. McCulloch, MD, co-founder Pet Partners

Tender Paws member Beth, holding puppy in her arms.

Click Here For Pet Partners Info

Interactions with many species of animals can be therapeutic.

Pet Partners and Tender Paws proudly registers nine different species of animals for therapy visits.

Not Just Dogs...

Pet Partners chart showing the nine species of animals that can be registered for therapy visits.

Pet Partners Therapy Rat with Handler Certificate of Completion.

David has been a member of Tender Paws since 2013. Piper, a Boston Terrier, is his second therapy dog. David was a registered Therapy Animal Team with the late great Buddy for seven years. David and Piper are excited to be able to visit kids at school. Piper is a PhD (Pretty happy Dog) and has just begun her career visiting at Tennova Healthcare and is taking part in the “Read with Me” program at the Clarksville Montgomery County Public Library.

Our Registered

Therapy Animal Teams

Michelle and Rucker joined Tender Paws in 2023. He is a Mini-Golden Doodle. They have been a registered Animal Therapy Team since 2023. They will visit local nursing homes, hospitals, local schools, and Austin Peay State University.

Rucker and michelle

Poppy is my first therapy dog and we have both settled into a more relaxed lifestyle after my many years of involvement in the dog world. With over three decades of experience in AKC obedience and confirmation, as well as instructing, I am now enjoying the benefits of retired life. Poppy's gentle and friendly nature makes her the perfect companion for children of all ages, who love to spend time with her. She adores being petted and her long, velvety fur is a delight to stroke. When not busy brightening the lives of others, Poppy loves to play with her doggy pals and even gets along well with our family cats. We are thrilled at the prospect of many more years of joyful visits and creating happy memories together.

Poppy and Cindy

Therapy Dog Team Lori and dog Anna Grace.

Anna Grace and Lori

Falkinburg’s Ocean of Gold, aka Anna Grace and her handler Lori has been a registered therapy team since 2022. People at Tennova Healthcare Clarksville and assisted living facilities love it when Anna Grace visits. Children at Vacation Bible Schools and children’s camps enjoy visits with Anna Grace and Lori. Children read to Anna Grace at “Read with Me” at the Clarksville Montgomery County Public Library. If you’ve followed Tender Paws, you’ve seen Lori with 2 other Golden Retrievers. She’s been the Handler for Genesis since 2015 and the late Gracie from 2011-2022. Anna Grace loves to bring happiness to all that she meets!

Genesis and Lori

Falkinburg’s Golden Genesis, or Genni, and Handler Lori have been a Therapy Team since 2015. They visit the local hospital, assisted living facilities, VBS, and various facilities in Clarksville. Genni enjoys going to Lori’s school to visit the students, as well as participating in the "Read With Me" Program at the Public Library. Genni loves meeting new people and putting a smile on their faces!

Therapy Dog Team Piper and handler David.

Bentley and Janet

Bentley was born November 17, 2012 in Loganville GA and moved to Clarksville TN in January 2013. Bentley is a gentle Doberman who loves people and other dogs. Janet is a retired high school math teacher who now enjoys traveling, volunteering with various groups, working with Bentley, and loving her grandkids. Janet has had two previous Doberman therapy dogs who visited from 2002-2012. Janet and Bentley plan to visit at Tennova hospital, the new TN State Veterans home, perhaps other nursing homes, and as many Tender Paws activities as possible.

Piper and David

Appa and Rachel

Halley and Lisa

Bondi and Petra

Lisa and her 5-year-old golden retriever, Halley, became a newly registered team in November of 2023. They are just starting out on their volunteer journey and plan to attend Read With Me events at the Montgomery County Public Library and USO Warrior Wednesday events together as they strengthen their skills and bond. Halley loves people, especially children, playing water fetch, and basking in the sunshine whenever she gets the chance!

Raja and Holly

Holly joined Tender Paws in 2022 with her dog, Raja, a Standard Poodle. Raja is a rescued dog and already had extensive training under his belt prior to his adoption in 2021. Holly and Raja enjoy visiting local schools and the library for “Read With Me.” Raja’s favorite past times are visiting Holly’s arts organization, going on kid-friendly Therapy visits, playing frisbee, and going on walks.

Corgi Therapy Dog Einstein licking his nose.

Lori Falkenburg

Nichole Tabaska

Tender Paws Vice President, Lori Falkenburg.

Meet the Board

Vice-President

David Bilan

President

Treasurer

Nettie Miller

Secretary

A Golden Retriever smiles, looking at the camera.

January 2025 - December 2026.

Boston Terrier Piper a Tender Paws Therapy Dog shows off her underbite.

In Memory of our past Therapy Animals

Kathy Temple, one of the original members of Tender Paws, holds her therapy animal, Lovie.

Kathy Anne Temple

1961 - 2023

Kathy became a handler in 2000 with her first Therapy Animal, Sienna. In early 2001, Kathy and Sienna were part of the core group that established Tender Paws at Gateway Hospital (now Tennova). She took on the role of Evaluator and Training Director in addition to being a visiting team.

As an Evaluator, Kathy made sure both Handlers and Animals teams met the high standards of Pet Partners prior to being registered to start visiting.

Kathy was an active member for more than twenty years. In various leadership roles including President and Vice President, Kathy helped expand the mission of Tender Paws, adding and participating in the Children’s Library reading program. She coordinated participation in many events that have become yearly traditions for the Clarksville group.

Kathy sought ways to keep Tender Paws responsive to the needs of the local community. Events were geared toward grieving Military Families from nearby Fort Campbell Army base in the months and years following 9/11.

Her spirit and drive motivated dozens of Tender Paws members and uplifted the lives of the thousands of individuals she and her four Therapy Dogs visited.

Until the end of her life, Kathy exemplified the best a volunteer can be in the field of Animal-Assisted Therapy.

We were lucky to have known her.

Memories and Tributes

Kathy and Lovie

“Dogs leave pawprints

on our hearts.”