Sometimes, the impact of a therapy dog is best captured not in numbers, but in poetry.
Cynthia is a thoughtful, quiet young girl in one of our Paws for Resilience groups.
She recently surprised our volunteers, Joanne and Carly, with something truly special: a heartfelt poem about Therapy Dog York, the big Golden Retriever who visits her each week. York isn’t just a 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 our incredible therapy dogs and the youth we serve:
A Poem for Therapy Dog York
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
Small Moments Can Spark Big Growth
It’s hard not to smile while reading Cynthia’s words. What’s even more moving is hearing her talk about it herself. In a video that includes this group of students in our Paws for Resilience Program, 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 youth build trust, self-awareness, and coping skills, all through the healing power of registered therapy pets and the steady support of trained volunteers. For youth who have experienced trauma or face other challenges like anxiety or depression, 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, Paws for Youth (formerly Gabriel’s Angels) provided additional training for our volunteers, including trauma-informed care, age-appropriate communication, and structured, supportive group curriculum. These enhancements prepare our volunteers to meet children where they are, offering not just a visit, but a true connection.
This story is just one of many made possible by support from our community. We’re grateful to continue the work of creating spaces where children feel safe, heard, and inspired to write poems about big, fluffy therapy pups.
Thank you to Cynthia, for reminding us what love, kindness, and connection really look like.