For Nicole Navarro, saving foxes that would have otherwise been killed on a fur farm in Minnesota was only the beginning.
The founder of Pawsitive Beginnings in Key Largo, Navarro was joined by Monroe County Mayor Holly Raschein, Human-Animal Alliance founder Jackie Ducci and community supporters on Aug. 27 for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for a new therapy room for counselors and their clients. With a $10,000 grant from Ducci’s alliance, and other financial support, a calm, comforting room was constructed at Navarro’s fox sanctuary to allow therapists and counselors a unique space to hold off-site private sessions with their clients.
Ducci visited Pawsitive Beginnings last year when Navarro first pitched the idea of a therapeutic space on the property in Key Largo.
“The room … we couldn’t look into it because it was so full of storage items,” Navarro said.
Ducci said there’s magic when animals and humans bond, allowing for life-changing and life- saving experiences. Ducci said her nonprofit formed out of a mission to give people the chance to connect with animals in a meaningful way, which is why she got behind Navarro’s healing den. Ducci said her foundation, which formed in Wellington, Florida, supports equine and canine assistance therapies across the country.
“I had never heard of using foxes in this context, but it’s so amazing and I’m so grateful I met Nicole,” Ducci said. “She broadened my horizons and taught me more about this. When we connected I just really fell in love with her program.”
Since the foxes began arriving at Navarro’s sanctuary, they have inspired and healed kids, women and other community members in need of animal therapy. Three years ago, Navarro visited Kinder in the Keys, a facility that helps women suffering from PTSD, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Joan Lorenzo, executive director, said Navarro brings the foxes to the facility where women can hear the foxes’ stories of survival. Lorenzo said the visit and the stories inspire the women and show them that healing is possible.
Ben Kemmer, Florida Keys Children’s Shelter CEO, said the interaction has been incredible among the kids, Navarro and the foxes.
“It’s basically our secret weapon because no matter what the kids have going on in their lives, it brightens their faces,” Kemmer said.
The Fred and Jean Allegretti Foundation made a generous donation toward the healing room. Navarro said the foundation supported Pawsitive Beginnings since day one.
“I’m completely blown away and always grateful when people come beside me because they see what I’m doing truly makes a difference,” Navarro said.
The room was built by local builders Sean and Harlan Richardson.
“Every wild idea that I have come up with, they never said we can’t do it,” Navarro said. “They just said we’ll get it down. And they have from the fox enclosures to the therapy room, every single thing they built has been better than anything I could have ever imagined.”
Navarro credited her mother, Barbara Froelich, who allowed her to turn the property into a fox sanctuary, longtime friend Jessica Walker and Jeanne Selander, who runs the animal farm on Stock Island.
One of the greatest gifts Navarro and the foxes received was the support from law enforcement in the Keys.
“Since day one you’ve all been amazing with your support,” Navarro said. “The entire Florida Keys community has literally wrapped its arms around the foxes and I since the day we arrived. No where else in the world could I be doing what I’m doing with these animals.”
Before a ribbon-cutting, Raschein presented Navarro with a proclamation making Aug. 27 Pawsitive Beginnings Day in Monroe County. Raschein called Navarro a “local hero” and a “true ambassador.”
“You have come in and supported our law enforcement men and women, our children and just our everyday residents,” Raschein said.
