Hi! My name is Dana Filek-Gibson, and I’m running the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon in support of New York Therapy Animals. Please join me in raising money for animal-assisted interactions in NYC!

Last fall, I returned to running after years away from the sport, and it’s fast become one of my favorite things to do in Brooklyn, my new home. Every long run is another excuse to explore a new neighborhood and find community among the many runners in this city. This fall, I’m excited to cross the starting line of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 3, and complete my first marathon in more than a decade.

Better still, I have the honor of fundraising for New York Therapy Animals, a non-profit charity organization that brings therapy dog teams to New Yorkers in countless environments. They educate and train both ends of the leash (human with their own dog) to become a trained, licensed and insured therapy dog teams that volunteer in healthcare and educational venues and wellness community programs. Throughout the year, their teams visit with people in hospitals, assisted living facilities, Alzheimer’s facilities, shelters and child advocacy programs, aiding in physical, occupational, speech and psychotherapies. New York Therapy Animals is also the official affiliate for the R.E.A.D. ® (Reading Education Assistance Dogs ®) children’s literacy support program, which helps striving readers improve fluency and comprehension while building self-confidence as they read to a non-judgmental therapy dog. Their programs can be a lifeline for people dealing with stress, anxiety, isolation, loneliness, serious illnesses and many other challenges.

New York Therapy Animals relies entirely on donations for programming possibilities within NYC communities. With support from people like you, these therapy dog teams can continue to bring unconditional patience, love and compassion to people in hard times.

Since 2016, New York Therapy Animals has also partnered exclusively in person at the TCS NYC Marathon, with their therapy dog teams helping runners create a calm and relaxed mindset before their race.

I’m grateful for your support on this journey, and I know that New York Therapy Animals volunteers are, too!

Here’s what you can expect when you make a donation to this fundraiser:

Please support however you can: Donate if you’re able and share this page with friends and family — the more people know about it, the more love we can show to NY Therapy Animals. Thank you so much for your support; I’m excited to cross the starting line!

— Dana