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Guardian Whiskers Community Programs & Events

Kiddos & Kitties | Madison-Area Literacy Program

Kiddos & Kitties Reading Program encourages literacy among children with an irresistible feline companion.

Taradiddle Young Writer Contests

Taradiddle Young Writer Contests inspire youth ages 9-18 to write with fun animal-themed story prompts.

Photo of brown dog with text and illustrations on top

Book Buddies Children’s Literacy Program

Book Buddies Literacy Program provides kids with supervised emotional support from a certified therapy dog.

Programs in action

Caring team of volunteers paint animals on kids’ faces

What's Guardian Whiskers All About?

Guardian Whiskers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our community programs harness the power of the human-animal bond to help and inspire people of all ages.

Pet interaction improves people’s physical, social and mental health. Pets receive health benefits from socializing with people too!

Founding Story

Guardian Whiskers Inc.

Pet-Passionate Non-Profit Organization

Guardian Whiskers Inc. is a non-profit pet-passionate organization in Madison, Wisconsin.

People & Their Pets

Guardian Whiskers promotes the healthy bond between pets and people. Our community programs improve the well-being of people and pets.

Pet interaction improves people’s physical, social and mental health. Pets receive health benefits from socializing with people too!

Join Madison's pet-passionate community

Warm and fuzzies have health benefits too.
Studies show animal companionship improves overall wellness.

Learn more about the science.

Reduce the risk of heart attack

Relieve depression & stress

Accelerate heart attack recovery

Reduce allergy & eczema risk in children

Lower blood pressure

Kid reading with dog on a couch in the Guardian Whiskers comfort room — Book Buddies children’s reading program

Young woman in athletic clothes booping a lab sitting on a leash — Book Buddies children’s reading program

Who are the Guardians?

Guardians are therapy animals, volunteers, therapists, educators, and organizations who make our programs possible and support the people and pets we serve.

Guardian Whiskers collaborates with the local Madison-area, Verona, Fitchburg, and Middleton communities. Some programs reach out to participants worldwide. We're passionate about boosting confidence in kids, literacy, animal welfare, and bringing together communities with the power of pets.

Now accepting applications from owners of child-loving dogs who would like to support our Book Buddies children’s literacy cause. If you’re interested, please provide your email, and we’ll reach out to you with more information.

Volunteer

Guardian Whiskers Mission and Beginnings

In 2017, after many years of providing care and building bridges in the community and veterinary world, Katarina Luther chose to use her experience and resources to create the non-profit organization Guardian Whiskers, Inc. Her mission with Guardian Whiskers has been to create community programs and events that harness the power of the human-animal bond to benefit, inspire, and heal people of all ages.

Read our Founding Story

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Support Our Paws

Registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Org.

All donations to Guardian Whiskers Inc. go toward the development and maintenance of our programs near and far.

Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Contact Us

Reach Out

Email: [email protected]
Call: (608) 957-7441