At Animal Assisted Happiness, we recognize that children with special needs and their families struggle on a daily basis. We are here to help by bringing moments of joy into their day be letting your child interact with animals and experience a smile that only animals can bring. All our programs and services are free of charge and are funded 100% by donations and run by volunteers.

Our progressive program at your pace.
Animal Assisted Happiness program’s goal is to have your child develop a relationship with one of our animals as we believe the skills gained with animals translate over into social situations. This goal is achieved in four progressions -- exposure to our animals in a 'meet and greet'; engagement where your child selects and animal to engage with; interaction where your child is truly engaged with the animal; and relationship where your child builds a friendship and relationship with an animal.

We encourage your child to go at their own pace and have found it takes multiple, repetitive visits for each phase so we provide private and small-group visits. We can also arrange to bring animals to you, for those children that aren't ambulatory.

Languages spoken/understood: Japanese and English.

AAH has moved to a temporary facility in Gilroy while we continue to search for a permanent site.