Puppies Bring Smiles to Kids Facing Illness

Quick Smiles:

• Pile of Puppies delivers joyful puppy visits to seriously ill children.
• This nonprofit has brought puppy pile therapy to over 2,000 young recipients.
• Donations help brighten lives and create lasting memories for families in need.

Even when chemotherapy or illness challenges a child, a visit from an armful of puppies can spark pure delight.

Pile of Puppies, a heartfelt nonprofit in Portland, brings entire litters of playful pups straight to the homes of children battling chronic or terminal illnesses.

Founder Jennifer Trepanier, who personally knows the challenges of long-term illness, created the group after discovering the uplifting joy a puppy pile can bring.

With the help of volunteers and funding from generous donors and grants, Pile of Puppies coordinates memorable events where a child is surrounded by fluff and affection.

Among the 2,000 joyful visits was Julia Stults’ experience during her fight with ulcerative colitis, giving her a happy memory in a challenging time.

“It’s those little, tiny special things that are like, ‘Yeah, having (ulcerative colitis) sucks, but then I wouldn’t get all the puppies.’”

Julia’s mother, Dina Stults, found the puppy visit so meaningful that she now helps organize these heartwarming events for other families.

Stults said

“It’s about them as humans and how they interact with the puppies — which things they like and don’t like.”

“They just open up.”

“They’re chatty, and they brighten up.”

“It’s a very enriching experience for a volunteer.”

Donations make it possible for more children to be wrapped in puppy love, and special plush toys are offered to help kids carry those warm moments with them through tough days.

If this story inspired you, consider sharing the joy or supporting the mission so more children can enjoy the happiness only a puppy pile can bring.

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