HEALING DEN: PAWSITIVE BEGINNINGS GETS GRANT FOR NEW THERAPY & COUNSELING FACILITY

two women holding a small dog in front of a sign
Nicole Navarro, Pawsitive Beginnings founder, left, with Kai the fox and Jackie Ducci, founder of the Human-Animal Alliance founder. SARAH EAKIN/Contributed

The Human-Animal Alliance recently granted Pawsitive Beginnings $10,000 to build a new Human-Animal Alliance Healing Den in Key Largo. 

Construction is scheduled for completion this summer, when those seeking therapy can take full advantage of the permanent on-site facility at the home of the fox sanctuary. 

“We’re so appreciative of the help and support from the Human-Animal Alliance. The purpose of the Human-Animal Alliance Healing Den is to allow therapists and counselors a unique space to hold off-site private sessions with their clients within our fox sanctuary,” said Pawsitive Beginnings CEO Nicole Navarro. “Construction begins to provide a dedicated space to offer animal-assisted therapy — involving foxes saved from the fur trade to at-risk youth and adults who are in various stages of their healing journey.

“Our animal-assisted therapy program was born out of the idea that sharing stories of survival from the fox’s perspective has the power to help heal those who may be struggling with trauma, PTSD, or circumstances beyond one’s control that have placed them in emotional imbalance,” Navarro said. “Each and every one of our foxes has a story to tell, and when we share those stories, they have the power to heal and inspire hope.” 

The Human-Animal Alliance supports programs which share their belief in the power and value of human-animal connection. 

Jackie Ducci, founder of the alliance, said Pawsitive Beginnings provides a unique healing opportunity to people through its foxes.

“We are honored to play a role in advancing the program even further,” said Ducci, who founded the Human-Animal Alliance two years ago in Wellington, Florida, and personally covers the  organization’s overhead costs to ensure every dollar donated goes directly to the charitable projects it selects for grants. 

“We meticulously research and carefully select the very best programs nationwide to receive our support. Pawsitive Beginnings’ innovative work reflects our deep-rooted belief that the magic of human-animal connection is real,” Ducci said. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to feel and know its life-changing benefits.” 

Since its inception in 2022, the Human-Animal Alliance has distributed 11 grants to similar projects focusing on the power and value of human-animal connection. Funds are raised through exclusive events and private donations.

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