Mentoring Youth and Inspiring Excellence: Volunteer Sue & Therapy Dog Addie

Written by Amanda Shain on July 23, 2025. Posted in Best in Show.

Mentoring Youth and Inspiring Excellence: Volunteer Sue & Therapy Dog Addie

At Gabriel’s Angels, our Best in Show value means we act with transparency, celebrate outcomes, and highlight the real results of our mission. That’s why we’re proud to recognize one of our exceptional volunteer teams, Sue Reed and her therapy dog Addie, for being honored with the CCUSD Inspire Excellence Award for their outstanding work mentoring youth in the classroom.

Through our Paws for Resilience program, Sue and Addie have spent the past four years mentoring students at a local elementary school, using the power of animal-assisted activities to teach social-emotional skills. Their presence has become a trusted source of comfort, consistency, and learning for children who benefit from guided support in understanding themselves and others.

Mentoring youth isn’t just meaningful—it’s transformative. Just ask their school:

“I am honored to nominate Sue Reed (and Addie) for her outstanding dedication and service as an educational volunteer in our school community. For the past four years, she has generously brought her certified support dog into our classrooms, creating a safe, engaging, and nurturing space for students. She has always worked well beyond the scope of what her organization asks for …she does what she does because she genuinely loves kids.

“Sue not only shares the comfort and support of her animal companion, but she also [leads] meaningful group lessons focused on vital social-emotional skills such as communication, self-regulation, empathy, and the respectful treatment of others – including animals. Her sessions include thoughtfully planned crafts and hands-on activities that make learning fun and memorable.

“Students engage deeply, petting and interacting with Addie while participating in guided discussions, art projects, and role-playing scenarios that reinforce emotional understanding and appropriate social behaviors. Her work has made a lasting impact on our students’ emotional growth and well-being, and she truly embodies what it means to Inspire Excellence.”

This kind of recognition is exactly what Best in Show is all about—clear, lasting impact that can be seen in student outcomes and heard in the voices of those they serve. By choosing to mentor youth, Sue and Addie have created a space where learning feels safe, healing, and joyful.

The CCUSD Inspire Excellence Award, given annually to teachers, staff, and community members, acknowledges outstanding contributions to student success. Sue and Addie’s selection highlights just how much their consistent presence and thoughtful programming have meant to the school community.

Ready to mentor youth and create real change like Sue and Addie?

You don’t need to be an educator to make a difference. If you have a certified therapy pet or a passion for helping young people thrive, there’s a place for you in our programs! Learn more about how to mentor youth through our pet therapy programs and support the next generation with heart and purpose.

Like a Cloud: A Therapy Dog Poem by Cynthia

Written by Amanda Shain on June 18, 2025. Posted in Best in Show, Love Unconditionally.

Like a Cloud: A Therapy Dog Poem by Cynthia

Sometimes, the impact of a therapy dog is best captured not in numbers, but in poetry.

Cynthia, a thoughtful young girl in one of our Paws for Resilience groups, recently surprised her volunteers, Joanne and Carly, with something truly special: a heartfelt poem about York, the big Golden Retriever who visits her each week. York isn’t just a therapy dog to Cynthia – he’s a source of comfort, connection, and joy. Her poem is a beautiful glimpse into the powerful bond that can form between a child and a compassionate animal:

York makes me feel like a cloud
He makes me feel like nothing can turn me down

And he is like a big colorful cloud
He is the most cutest thing
He tunes in to others’ emotions

York is an important part in my life
He is kind to others
He greets you
He blooms like a flower
He is so kind
I think he is just like a bumblebee
He is the best dog ever

I love you, York

It’s hard not to smile while reading Cynthia’s words. What’s even more moving is hearing her talk about it herself. In our recent video that highlights this group of students in our Paws for Resilience Program, an ABC visit, and a Community Support Visit, Cynthia shares why York inspired her to put her feelings into poetry. [Watch the video here.]

The Paws for Resilience program is designed to help children build trust, self-awareness, and coping skills – all through the healing power of therapy animals and the steady support of trained volunteers. With children who have experienced trauma or face other challenges, these moments of connection can become the foundation for real emotional growth.

Support from funders like UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona makes stories like Cynthia’s possible. With their generous partnership, Gabriel’s Angels has been able to provide additional training for our Therapy Teams, including trauma-informed care, age-appropriate communication, and structured, supportive group activities. These enhancements help ensure our volunteers are prepared to meet children where they are, offering not just a visit, but a true connection.

This story is just one piece of what their funding supports. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan also helps make possible our other programs that bring pet therapy to children in shelters, schools, after-school programs, and more. Because of them – and because of you! – we can continue creating spaces where children feel safe, heard, and inspired to write poems about big, fluffy therapy pups.

Thank you for believing in this work. And thank you, Cynthia, for reminding us what love, kindness, and connection really look like.

Calm Companions: A Mindful Partnership for Arizona Youth

Written by Amanda Shain on May 19, 2025. Posted in Be Loyal, Best in Show, Make New Friends.

Calm Companions: A Mindful Partnership for Arizona Youth

Gabriel’s Angels is proud to announce a successful pilot of Calm Companions: Integrating Mindfulness into Pet Therapy, an innovative new collaboration developed with Mindfulness First.

Originally, teachers were nervous about students missing class time this close to state testing. Now they are so excited to see their students go to the sessions because they are seeing the impact on reducing stress and anxiety for the students and that they have the tools they need to manage big emotions. When staff drop in to watch, they have only positive things to share about it.

– Principal Sean Hannafin

A New Approach to Healing for Arizona Youth

This new collaborative approach with our partners at Mindfulness First blends the proven benefits of pet therapy with trauma-informed mindfulness practices. Designed specifically for youth in Arizona schools, Calm Companions addresses a critical and growing need: supporting the emotional and mental well-being of children who are facing adversity, stress, or trauma.

Through Calm Companions, Gabriel’s Angels’ volunteer Pet Therapy Teams – each consisting of a therapy animal and their human companion – are paired with a trained Mindfulness First facilitator to co-lead weekly group sessions. These sessions combine calming animal interaction with evidence-based mindfulness activities that help children regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and build resilience.

Real-Life Impact: Moments of Connection and Growth

The Calm Companions pilot has already shown meaningful impact for Arizona youth – both emotionally and behaviorally.

One student in the group with Volunteer Nicole and Therapy Dog Luisa shared that her brother didn’t believe she saw a dog at school every week because dogs aren’t allowed at school. Mr. Rodway, the school social worker, invited the brother to join the session.

Once inside the mindfulness room, the young student revealed he was having trouble earning his daily behavior points – a challenge that often affected his school experience. Fully embracing the core strengths of the program, Nicole and the group went through an impromptu mindfulness-based problem-solving activity. The older students began encouraging and mentoring the younger brother, offering advice and support. The moment became a powerful demonstration of peer empathy, leadership, and emotional safety – all anchored by the calming presence of little Luisa.

Moments like these reflect what facilitators have consistently observed throughout the pilot: students are learning to connect, regulate, and reflect. Opening each session with mindfulness helps students shift out of their busy day and become more present, and the introduction of pet therapy adds emotional warmth and relational connection, making the content more memorable and meaningful. The integration of Gabriel’s Angels and Mindfulness First lessons created a cohesive, adaptable framework that could flex to meet the unique needs of each group.

In fact, many students began applying the program’s tools outside of class – bringing mindfulness techniques to moments of stress or recalling weekly lessons during times of emotional challenge. 70% reported they use the social-emotional skills they learned either every day or a few times a week. The program’s emotional impact was clear: students became more open, confident, and connected as a direct result of participating.

“For me, it was a whole new experience working with pets and pet therapy like that. It brought so much to the students…and to see them interact with the animals and all of those amazing team building and activities that Gabriel’s Angels did was just really special.”

– Andra Prager, Mindfulness Coach with Mindfulness First

Building Trauma-Informed Capacity

Gabriel’s Angels has also been hard at work enhancing our internal capacity by integrating trauma-informed care training across our team of staff and volunteers. This ensures every participant in our pet therapy programs, including the Calm Companions program, receives thoughtful, compassionate support grounded in understanding the effects of trauma.

“We are deeply grateful for those who have supported making this visionary partnership possible. Calm Companions represents an exciting step forward in how we serve Arizona’s youth – by surrounding them with tools, support, and relationships that foster healing and long-term well-being.”

– Gabriel’s Angels CEO Melissa Steimer

We believe that combining the unconditional love of a therapy animal with the calming skills of mindfulness creates something powerful – and thanks to generous grant funds from supporters like the Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona, we’re bringing that power to more children across Arizona.

Inspiring Excellence: Pet Therapy Team Kerry & Carmel Receive Award

Written by Amanda Shain on May 7, 2024. Posted in Best in Show.

Inspiring Excellence: Pet Therapy Team Kerry & Carmel Receive CCUSD Award

We are grateful to partner with schools and other youth-serving organizations who appreciate the life-changing impact of pet therapy for the children in their care.

One of these partners is Lone Mountain Elementary School, located within Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD), where Volunteer Kerry & Therapy Dog Carmel visit for our Animals, Books, and Children (ABC) Program.

The staff at Lone Mountain appreciate the visits from Kerry & Carmel so much that they nominated them for the district’s Inspire Excellence Award, one of the highest honors given in CCUSD to recognize outstanding contributions from teachers, administrators, support staff, and community members — and we are very pleased to announce that Kerry & Carmel won!

School Principal Shelly Richardson and staff surprised Kerry with the news by presenting her with flowers (and dog treats for Carmel!), and a letter inviting them to an awards ceremony to formally receive their recognition.

“I was really stunned! We do what we do because we love it, not because we need recognition.” Kerry shared, “I am grateful to the Cave Creek Unified School District and the wonderful staff at Lone Mountain for their enthusiastic support of our program! It is always nice to know that what we do really does have an impact and makes a difference!”

At the CCUSD Awards Ceremony, the Superintendent read a wonderful write-up recognizing their dedication and the difference they’ve made in the lives of students and staff alike through their pet therapy work. Therapy Dog Carmel was the star of the show as she accompanied Kerry to the stage to accept their award.

The Importance of Pet Therapy in Our Community

This recognition of Kerry & Carmel’s work is a validation of the profound impact that pet therapy can have for the children in our community. At a time when mental health and well-being can be a struggle, Carmel’s sweet and gentle presence has reduced stress and anxiety on campus and enhanced the confidence and motivation to read for the students she visits with one-on-one.

This award serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most transformative lessons come from the unlikeliest of sources—a wagging tail, soulful gaze, and soft fur of a four-legged therapist. Therapy dogs like Carmel bring a unique dimension to educational settings, offering comfort, support, and a non-judgmental presence that can be profoundly therapeutic.

As we celebrate Kerry & Carmel receiving this well-deserved award, let’s also take a moment to reflect on the broader message they embody—the power of empathy, connection, and unwavering dedication to nurturing the hearts and minds of our future generations through pet therapy.

Do you have an incredible dog like Carmel you’d like to share with children in need? Sign up for a free virtual information session to learn more!