Driven by the philosophy that the unconditional love of a dog can heal a child, Gabriel’s Angels' team of volunteers work to fulfill their mission that “through the life-changing power of pet therapy, (they can) enhance the social and emotional development of vulnerable children.”
Although Valentine’s Day has passed, there’s still so much love to spread. This month they announced their new Sponsor a Pet Therapy Team, a chance to give back in memory or in tribute of an individual or pet.
Think of how much money you spent this Valentine’s Day, whether on a trip, a dinner or a box of chocolates. In donating just $50, you’re providing an entire month of pet therapy for a child in need. You can also join in on their community events to show your support, volunteer, purchase items on their Amazon Wish List or make a contribution through your tax credit.
“Arizona may be a great place, a great environment that people want to move to, but it’s not necessarily a great place to raise a child based on where we rank,” said Melissa Steimer, CEO of Gabriel’s Angels. “We could do better for the children and so one of the things that we are here to help with is overall child welfare.”
In a study done by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Arizona ranked 44th in child well-being. Arizona has consistently been at the bottom, with a lot of kids dying from suicide and gun violence.
“I think there really is a big mental health pandemic out there right now facing kids and I think we can be a part of that solution,” Steimer explained. “By bringing in these non-judgemental animals we’re bringing happiness and healing, and we like to say hope to so many vulnerable kids.”
Founded by Pam Garber in 2000, she named the foundation after her Weimaraner, Gabriel. When she stepped away in 2020, Steimer came on board as CEO in June of 2021. The beautiful human-animal connection is something that she’s witnessed firsthand after her son was diagnosed with a mental illness.
She’s had the opportunity to watch and experience all the joy her son’s dog has brought him through the challenges he’s faced over the last couple of years.
“In a nutshell, I couldn’t be happier than I am in this job. I believe so much in the human-animal bond and I have been personally someone who’s seen it,” Steimer said. “But, I will also say that my child is lucky because I was able to find the resources to help support him. There are so many people in the community and the children we work with that don’t have these resources. They are the most vulnerable.”
That’s where Gabriel’s Angels comes in.
With Group Programming, the ABC (Animals, Books and Children) Program and Community Support Visits, Gabriel’s Angels serves at-risk children from infants to 18 years old.
With their Group Programming they offer animal-assisted activities that focus on seven core behaviors for healthy childhood development; attachment, empathy, respect, tolerance, confidence, self-regulation and affiliation.
“That’s when we know there’s an opportunity, whether that’s a homeless shelter, a domestic abuse shelter or any kind of sheltering or group home,” Steimer said. They focus on working with the same kids as much as they can over the duration of four to six weeks.
“We will use a lot of activities that help them understand different things. What a healthy attachment looks like, what affiliation means for you, what empathy looks like, all while using the pet as a part of that interaction,” Steimer explained. They’ve recently begun integrating this program into Title 1 schools where they build out lesson plans to support these core behaviors.
The ABC program is utilized for children who aren’t up to their reading level or who have behavioral issues that are distracting them from taking the time to sit down and read. In conducting a study, The Annie E. Casey Foundation found that almost 70% of Arizona fourth graders are not proficient readers.
Throughout a 12- to 14-week duration they’ll work with a child and dog one on one. In being able to sit and read with a dog it brings a sense of comfort and support in a non-judgemental space.
A lot of the time these students are able to increase their reading level by a grade. The pet therapy team gets to watch as the child they’ve been working with weekly gains not only the skills, but courage and pride in their accomplishment.
“They feel more confident because they’re able to be with this pet, this unconditional love,” Steimer noted. “We really see the difference.”
Recently, they’ve started doing Community Support Visits. If there’s a tragic accident, whether that be in a school or organization, they’ll have a team come out to be there to support them during that healing time.
“I think that anyone who has ever experienced a pet in their lives can probably go back and remember a time when that pet brought them joy. It was there when sadness happened, it listened to them, didn’t judge, and really felt what they were feeling,” Steimer said. “It’s that magical connection that can be made. When you look at them automatically stress goes down, anxieties go away, you just are happy.”
Mark your calendars because on Thursday, March 30, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., Gabriel’s Angels is hosting Unleash the Love, a free community breakfast at the Arizona Biltmore. Come and bring all your furry friend lovers for an hour of inspiration while you learn about all the hope and love they’re spreading throughout our state.
For more information on Gabriel’s Angels, visit their website HERE. To register for their Unleash the Love Community Breakfast, click HERE.
