"Crystal is a 16-year-old girl who has been placed in a residential foster care facility. This facility is trying very hard to make life enjoyable for these young women, but how do you make 40 girls feel special? When Crystal came into the group she was the first to ask when it would be over. She would not talk and looked down for most of the session. Many people would just assume she is another angry and violent teen who does not want help. She definitely was not the easiest person to get to know as she bolted for the door the second the time was up. Then something changed. I noticed that she was reaching out to the snake and smiling slightly when it came to her. She started looking me in the eyes, and did not seem to notice the time on the clock. At the last session the group exceeded the time limit and all of the girls walked me to my car. Silently Crystal waited as the others waved goodbye and headed inside. As I turned from my car, after putting the dog in the backseat, her arms slowly slid around my waist. For a girl who appeared defensive it was amazing how easily she reached out to say thank you. Can you feel her arms? That hug was for you."

"Last week I was at an all boys’ residential foster care center. I was walking to the room that I am assigned to work in, and was stopped three different times by boys who were excited and enthusiastic to see what animal I had in my arms. These boys, who go out of their way for no one, went out of their way to talk for only a minute. It is a small beginning, but they have begun to open up to people in their lives. That is a big step towards healing. Some of these boys have finished their 4-week session with me, and anxiously ask when they will be allowed to attend again. Their scowls torment me as I finish walking to the door. How can I tell them they cannot come and talk with me and interact with the animals because it is someone else’s turn? It never stops encouraging me knowing that such a seemingly small thing like spending time with an animal and talking can make such a large impression. Look what you did without knowing it!"