Sponsorship and Donation Opportunities
All of our Sponsorship and Donation Opportunities directly support our Mission Statement and favorably impact hospitalized children.
Dogtor Deke Stuffy
Sponsor a Stuffy for a Hospitalized Child
The Dogtor Deke Stuffy is 11” tall, soft, huggable, and dressed in blue hospital scrubs, sure to bring happiness to a hospitalized child. Deke the therapy dog has made twice weekly visits to the Pediatric Oncology Unit at Summerlin Hospital for over four years! During that time he has made nearly 500 visits and brought joy to everyone he meets. Your sponsorship ensures Deke can continue his "rounds" and bring even more love to the children he visits. Sponsor a Stuffy today!
Dogtor Deke Stuffy
Purchase Your Personal Stuffy
The Doctor Deke Stuffy is now available for purchase! Proudly standing at 11” tall, soft, huggable, and dressed in blue hospital scrubs, a Doctor Deke Stuffy is sure to bring joy to you or your family. In the spirit of paying it forward, twenty-percent of your purchase price will be donated to “Bark for a Cause” in support of our efforts to bring comfort to children battling cancer and other critical illnesses. In stock now, mailed within two days of your order. First run is limited to 2,000…don’t wait, order yours today!
Recent Fundraising Initiatives
Dedication. Passion. A Perfect Ambassador
Ambassador Deke has been busy organizing and attending recent successful fundraisers! Below are a few activities we are still barking about.
Share the Love Event
Findlay Honda Henderson
$23,800 Raised
During the month of February 2026, Bark for a Cause was honored to be the recipient donations through Findlay Honda Henderson's Share the Love Event!
Blanket Donation
Acesso Biologics
$13,500 Donated
We are thrilled to have Acesso Biologics as a Corporate Partner in our donation initiatives. Thank you Michael Aquino and your amazing team!
Fundraiser for Arya
California Pizza Kitchen
$1,700 Raised
Thank you California Pizza Kitchen
Town Square #275! A portion of sales from a single day event were donated to Arya's family.
Share the Love Event
Ladies of the NHL
$7,641 Total Raised
A Big Bark Shout out to Ladies of the NHL: Ladies of the Kraken, Knight, and Hurricanes. Your work on donations for the Share the Love Event was everything and more!
HOW WE HELP
Delivering Smiles One Paw at a Time
DISTRIBUTING BLANKETS AND TOYS TO HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN
Bringing Smiles and Raising Spirits
Our therapy dogs visit and deliver comfort blankets and toys to children in hospitals. While we can't be there for every child's hospital visit, it is our mission to make sure each child receives a gift. With the help of sponsorships and donations, we can continue to ensure those connections are made.
PARTNERING WITH NATIONALLY CERTIFIED THERAPY DOGS
Connecting Personally
All our therapy dogs have gone through rigorous training and have received their certification to work with children in hospitals and other medical settings. Patients and their families often remark that they feel less stressed and calmer after a visit with our therapy dogs.
THE POWER OF COMFORT
More Than a Pretty Smile
When a child has a blanket and/or toy in the hospital, it doesn’t only bring them a smile. Studies show that children who play with toys in hospitals show less signs of stress, heal faster and have an improved outlook. Similarly, studies have also shown benefits to patients who have been visited by therapy dogs. See our research section for more details.
OUR HISTORY
A Bit of Background
Bark for a Cause (BFAC) was founded with the goal of providing comfort to children battling cancer and other critical illnesses by way plush toys, gift boxes, etc. delivered by therapy dogs Bark Andre Furry & Winston the Doodle. Both Bark and Winston made quite an impact on Las Vegas hospitals, social media, and bringing joy to countless children at sporting events and business openings – all while spreading the word of comfort and sponsorship.
With Bark’s passing in 2023 and Winston retiring after years of service, the reins were handed over the Bark’s little pup brother, Deke, in 2023.
Deke quickly became a star example of love and joy as a therapy dog. Bark for a Cause entered a new phase of collaboration with various nonprofit foundations – all with the goal of bringing comfort to children and veterans through gifting and sponsorship opportunities designed as a conduit for those who want to contribute to a cause.
As a non-profit organization our goal is to deliver a blanket and/or toy to every child hospitalized in southern Nevada and beyond.
Bark For A Cause is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Nevada.
THE RESEARCH
What difference does a toy or therapy dog visit make? It turns out, a lot! When a child in a hospital plays with a toy or therapy dog, anxiety can be reduced and the healing process can be accelerated. Even family members can benefit from interacting with a therapy dog. Here are just a few studies that illustrate this point.
The Importance of Play During Hospitalization of Children
Kids’ Perceptions toward Children’s Ward Healing Environments
Effect of Toys and Preoperative Visit on Reducing Children's Anxiety
Therapy dogs may unlock health benefits for patients in hospital ICUs
"Izzy has been going to the hospital since February 2018. She had many visits that finally led to her diagnosis of Neuroblastoma on April 13, 2018. Since then there have been 100s of hours spent in the hospital. One thing she has enjoyed is decorating her hospital room by putting stuffed animals and pictures all over. This helps her feel normal, happy and makes the stay just a little easier. She also enjoys watching the Golden Knights and likes all things Golden Knights, so it was no surprise that she fell in love with (Knights fans) Bark and Winston from the moment she saw them. Their stuffed animals are now a part of our family and also go to doctors appointments and hospital stays. They bring her comfort and for that we thank Bark For A Cause!!"
Tierra M. - Izzy's mom
CONTACT BARK FOR A CAUSE
