Pet therapy program serves 13,000 abused and neglected children.
The group's founder, Pam Gaber, likes to say Gabriel's Angels started by accident and continues on purpose. More than a decade ago, Pam took her dog, Gabriel, to a Christmas party at the Crisis Nursery.
"I can tell you that day those children were different," says Gaber. "Instead of being angry and violent, they were loving and compasionate and kind. We stood in amazement and watched as this animal was able to reach children in a way that we could never do before."
Today, Gabriel's Angels is made up of 172 therapy teams which include a trained dog and a human. They regularly visit domestic violence and homeless shelters and group homes.
"People understand the impact animals have on our lives," Gaber says. "Just imagine what that could be to a child who isn't attached to their mom, isn't attached to their dad, isn't attached to anybody, yet they can form a healthy attachment through the unconditional love of a therapy dog."
Gabriel's Angels is holding a breakfast fundraiser on Wednesday, May 2 at the Arizona Biltmore. Register by calling 602.266.0875 or at www.gabrielsangels.org
