Pet Partners Pet of the Year 2023

Congratulations to the winner of the 2022 Pet of the Year competition

Happy Happy Hazel



Hazel and her human partner Sara raised more than $30,000 to support Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program.

Fun Facts about our 2022 Pet of the Year:

  • Hazel and Sara are a registered therapy animal team and Hazel has been a therapy dog since 2018.
  • Hazel has made over 350 visits and has over 1,000 volunteer hours.
  • Credentialed with Pet Partners Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) Program.
  • Multiple AKC Therapy Dog titles.
  • Favorite Toy: blue squeaky dinosaur & anything her siblings are playing with.
  • Favorite Activity: making people smile (especially children) at therapy animal visits. Sharing her love and adventures on social media @happyhappyhazel.
  • Favorite Treat: Pumpkin & yogurt pup-sicles and goat cheese.
  • Greatest Accomplishment: “Making a difference in this world…one paw at a time.”
  • Happy Happy Hazel and her human parents have raised over $175,000 for dog-related nonprofits since 2019.

Hazel’s focus as a therapy animal is on children, with emphasis on grief.

  • Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas (since 2018): Hazel started off working with children ages 618 but now specializes in children ages 3-6 (Little Hearts group). It’s the perfect group because of her small size.
  • Christa Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital: Hazel provides support during pre-op for pediatric spinal procedures, followed by visits with patients and staff throughout the hospital.
  • Thousand Oaks Elementary School: Working with kids from military families whose parents are deployed. Hazel was given the Superintendent’s Award for 2019 and 2022 (no awards were given during COVID restrictions).

Hazel’s slogan:
“Making a difference in the world, one paw at a time.”

Hazel’s Pet of the Year fundraising slogan:
“Little paws for a Big Cause”

Hazel’s 2023 slogan:
“Therapy in a fur coat”