By: Elaine Xu

Gabriel’s Angels is an organization in Phoenix, Arizona, named after the founder’s therapy dog, Gabriel. It provides pet therapy programs for children throughout the state. Studies show that interacting with dogs can boost children’s confidence and bring joy and comfort.

Founded in 2000, the organization focuses on helping children between 6 and 18 years old who need emotional support due to recent illness, difficult experiences, or academic struggles.

Gabriel’s Angels works on developing core strengths in the children it serves that are important for healthy development, as identified by trauma experts. These strengths include things like feelings of connection to others, trusting relationships, confidence, and much more. Therapy sessions incorporate various activities like playtime with the animals and reading to the kids.

Cara Kiggins, chief programs officer at Gabriel’s Angels, says animals, such as dogs, help kids have more support. “Several kids find a support structure from a dog when they may not have much support,” she explains. She has proof for this quote. Once, in a rehabilitation center, a dog named Lloyd was playing fetch with a group of patients, but he kept returning to a teenage girl sitting alone. He kept on bringing the ball to her, and eventually, the girl smiled.

Gabriel’s Angels currently has 109 pet therapy teams and 16 helping hand volunteers. It partners with 74 schools and non-profit organizations. “We’re unique,” Kiggins says, “because we have more partnerships with schools and non-profits than any other organization.”

Through pet therapy, Gabriel’s Angels helps hundreds of Arizona children facing emotional challenges. Through partnerships with schools, Gabriel’s Angels develops important skills in the children, which give the children confidence and help them succeed in school and life.

Link to Article: https://kpcnotebook.scholastic.com/post/lending-helping-paw
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