At Pawsitive Beginnings, we believe in the power of connection—between animals and humans, between survival and healing. Our unique animal-assisted therapy program uses the inspiring stories of our foxes, who are true survivors, to provide hope and healing to trauma survivors in the Florida Keys. These foxes, who have overcome hardship and adversity, serve as living examples of resilience, offering a pathway for those struggling with their own challenges to find strength and comfort.
The cornerstone of our program is "The Human Animal Alliance Healing Den." This dedicated, therapeutic space allows counselors, therapists, and their clients to engage in animal-assisted therapy sessions with our foxes. These sessions provide a safe environment where trauma survivors can work through their emotions and experiences, guided by the natural bond that forms between human and animal.
Each fox's story of survival reflects the same traits needed to heal from trauma: resilience, adaptability, and hope. By integrating these stories into their therapy sessions, clients are empowered to view their own journeys in a new light—seeing that recovery and growth are possible, no matter how difficult the circumstances.
This program is available free of charge to organizations in Monroe County, FL that are committed to helping individuals on their recovery journey.
For facilities outside of Monroe County, please contact us.
How it works:
We bring one of our foxes to your facility or your clients come to us with a therapist, and we share their individual story as well as the stories of our other foxes. Your clients or residents have the opportunity to ask questions and at the end of the time, have the opportunity to get up close and personal with our foxes.
If you are a place of business or school that would like to have us come for an educational presentation and receive the same experience, please reach out to discuss.
Use the contact button below to schedule
The foxes at Pawsitive Beginnings are not certified therapy animals.
We use their individual stories as a therapeutic tool to assist our program participants.
Kinder in the Keys specializes in trauma recovery, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health-related conditions. Our inpatient mental health facility in Key Largo, Florida offers treatments that address the mental, physical and emotional needs of adult women.
The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter is more than just a place to stay. Their extensive programs—both residential and non-residential—have helped and counseled thousands of children and families in their time of need since 1985. They're dedicated to providing the best possible solutions for abused, abandoned or neglected children; and chil
The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter is more than just a place to stay. Their extensive programs—both residential and non-residential—have helped and counseled thousands of children and families in their time of need since 1985. They're dedicated to providing the best possible solutions for abused, abandoned or neglected children; and children that have run away, are truants, or are considered ungovernable by their parents.
Key Bridge specializes in substance abuse counseling in Key West, Florida. They offer group therapy, individual and family counseling as well as trauma-informed care.
Project Lighthouse is a youth activities, resources, and drop-in center located in the heart of Key West. The staff help runaway, homeless and at-risk street youth, many of whom have traveled throughout the country, locate appropriate and available services such as food and medical care. Through encouragement and engagement, staff can cre
Project Lighthouse is a youth activities, resources, and drop-in center located in the heart of Key West. The staff help runaway, homeless and at-risk street youth, many of whom have traveled throughout the country, locate appropriate and available services such as food and medical care. Through encouragement and engagement, staff can create opportunities to explore issues of safe living situations, employment, and family contact or reunification. Our goal is to encourage each young person to become a welcome, positively contributing member of the community.
In order to keep this program free for those that need it, we now need help from our incredible community by way of sponsorship.
This level directly supports the weekly visits from the children at the Florida Keys Children's Shelter.
Benefits:
- Prominent logo placement on our website
- Plaque on our donor wall
- Tagged on all social media posts about the animal-assisted therapy program
- Recognition as Diamond sponsor in all of our emails blasts
- Complimentary tickets for six to any fundraising events
- Complimentary sanctuary visits for four, four times a year
- Named as a Primary Sponsor for any fox you choose
This level directly supports the monthly visits for the women of Kinder in the Keys
Benefits:
- Prominent logo placement on our website
- Plaque on our donor wall
- Tagged on all social media posts about the animal-assisted therapy program
- Recognition as Platinum sponsor in all of our emails blasts
- Complimentary tickets for 4 to any fundraising events
- Complimentary sanctuary visits for 2, four times a year
- Named as a Co-Sponsor for any fox you choose
This level will allow us to purchase items specific to the therapy program to give out to the clients that visit the sanctuary.
Benefits:
- Prominent logo placement on our website
- Plaque on our donor wall
- Tagged on all social media posts about the animal-assisted therapy program
- Recognition as Gold sponsor in all of our emails blasts
- Complimentary tickets for 2 to any fundraising events
- Complimentary sanctuary visits for 1, four times a year
ALL IMAGES ARE FROM ACTUAL INTERACTIONS DURING THE PROGRAM
If you are a business or individual that would like to sponsor our Animal-Assisted Therapy program, please use the contact form below to send us an email.
The Human-Animal Alliance Healing Den is a private therapy office located onsite at Pawsitive Beginnings in Key Largo, FL. This unique space will allow our therapy partners to hold private sessions with their clients either before or after their visit with the foxes.
Our organization is dedicated to providing hope and support to those who need it the most. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to live a fulfilling life, and that through our efforts, we can make a real difference in the world.
Read all about our monumental day, as we officially revealed the den to our Florida Keys community.
If you are a licensed therapist or counselor in the state of Florida and are interested in becoming part of our therapy network, please send us an email using the link below.
Ben Kemmer - CEO Florida Keys Children's Shelter