The FURiends program is a trauma-informed, strength-based service designed to support clients in achieving their therapeutic goals through the human-animal bond. Our program is built on the same “Nurturing Resilience” framework we use in our agency, focusing on fostering safety, building trust, and teaching emotional regulation.

We have two highly-trained mental health canines, Mac and Cheese, who work with us to assist clients. Their non-judgmental and calming presence is a powerful tool for:

• Building Rapid Rapport: Mac and Cheese act as “social bridges,” helping clients who may be hesitant or non-verbal to engage in sessions.

• Co-Regulating Emotions: The simple act of petting a dog can lower stress hormones (cortisol) and increase bonding hormones (oxytocin)—what we call a “biological spa treatment.” This is incredibly effective for clients who are in a state of high stress or anger.

• Teaching Social-Emotional Skills: We use structured, goal-oriented activities with the dogs to teach empathy, boundaries, frustration tolerance, and pro-social behaviors.

• Achieving Specific Goals: For youth, this can look like building confidence by teaching Cheese a new command, or for younger children, learning to control their “big feelings” by matching Mac’s calm energy.

Mac and Cheese can be integrated in several ways, from individual client sessions to group work or even staff support to help mitigate vicarious trauma. Mac works in our Therapeutic Preschool and Counseling Center, while Cheese works with all of our home-based families.