A group including fi ve therapy dogs and their handlers certified with Therapy Dogs International visited the Center of Family Love recently to participate in a pet therapy activity.

The event was hosted by the 2019-20 Center of Family Love Teen Board.

The dogs and their handlers spent time interacting with CFL residents who live with intellectual and physical disabilities before providing an obedience demonstration for both the residents and the teen board members.

During the demonstration, handlers showed off the skills of their dogs and took time to explain and answer questions about the importance of good behavior in therapy animals.

“I think the dogs were really nice, especially Scout, and I would love for them to come back sometime,” said CFL resident Jon B.

“I love to pet them and it makes me feel really good. I’m so glad my Teen Board asked the dogs to come see me.”

The CFL Teen Board consists of 39 students from nine public and private high schools in the communities surrounding Okarche, where the Center of Family Love is located.

Students on the board are scheduled to plan and organize a new activity for 10 to 15 of the organization’s 130 residents each month in addition to their fundraising efforts for the organization.

“We are so proud of the teen board because they go above and beyond to serve our residents in every possible way,” said CFL CEO Debbie Espinosa.

“We feel very blessed to be able to provide them with an opportunity to build their resumes while also learning about important nonprofi t operations and building lasting relationships with our incredible residents.”

Every activity planned by the teens mirrors a new enrichment program being developed as a part of the organization’s recently launched $25 million capital campaign.

In the coming months, students plan to focus on other developing programs in addition to pet therapy, including: pottery classes, language classes, horticulture therapy classes, culinary and nutrition classes and more.

“I learned so much about the important role pets can have in the lives of people with disabilities when I was researching to help plan this activity,” said CFL Teen Board Vice President Madison Stephens.

“As someone who has grown up on a farm, the Pet Therapy Program is especially meaningful to me, so I’m glad I got to play a small part in bringing the joy of animals to the residents at the Center of Family Love.”