Working Like Dogs

This week, I had the privilege of spending the morning with students from Pre-K through 8th grade at Valley Elementary in Ribera, New Mexico, reading the Humphrey the Hopeful Helper stories. My service dog, Fenway, rested quietly at my feet, and the real Humphrey, the dog who inspired the stories, watched while I read about him. 🐾

The students asked wonderful questions. I think I learned as much from them as they did from me.

Literacy is one of the most important gifts we can give children. Reading builds vocabulary, imagination, and confidence, and stories help them understand people whose lives may look different from their own. A simple story about a dog can spark a lifelong love of books, and in rural communities, schools and libraries are often where that spark happens.

I believe it is my responsibility to share these conversations with young people. When children meet a service dog team, they learn about living with a disability, that service dogs are working partners and not pets, and how to be respectful when they see a team out in public. Learning how animals support people, through service work and animal-assisted interventions, also opens the door to talking about empathy and kindness.

None of this would have happened without the New Mexico Rural Libraries Association. Rural libraries are lifelines for their communities, connecting children and families to books, learning, and new experiences, often with limited resources and a great deal of heart. I’m so grateful for the work they do.

Thank you to Joann Martinez, Librarian at El Valle Community Center and Library, for the invitation and for making the day possible, and to the teachers and staff at Valley Elementary for welcoming us so warmly.

Kicking off October with a sub-arctic adventure!

There is nothing quite like a crisp fall day to transport us straight to the stunning wilderness of Denali National Park and Preserve!

In our latest episode of Working Like Dogs, Fenway and I had such a wonderful time catching up with Kennels Manager David Tomeo. He gave us an incredible look behind the scenes at the Alaskan huskies who patrol over five million acres of roadless parkland. ❄️🐕

These amazing canine heroes carry forward a historic mushing tradition dating back to 1922—hauling research equipment, helping scientists, and protecting pristine lands where motorized vehicles simply cannot go!

Grab a warm mug, cuddle up with your own fur-family, and tune in to hear all about the only operational sled dog kennel in the entire National Park Service! 🎧🐶

👉 Catch Episode 212 here: https://www.petliferadio.com/workingdogs.html

From a scruffy Florida stray to 2025’s America’s Hero Dog, Sgt. Bo’s journey is pure inspiration! 🐾

On today’s brand new episode of Working Like Dogs, Fenway and I sit down with retired police officer Faye Okert to chat about her wonderful new children’s book, Sgt. Bo: From Homeless to Hero. 📚

Faye shares how this incredible rescued mutt is helping teach kids that everyone deserves a second chance, kindness is always a choice, and you should never judge anyone by how they look. Plus, she fills us in on the companion coloring book created for little ones who learn best with a crayon in hand! 🖍️

👉 Listen to Episode 213 here: https://www.petliferadio.com/workingdogs.html

Happy International Dog Day! 🐶

Today is all about celebrating the incredible four-legged companions who bring so much warmth, comfort, and unconditional love into our lives.

Whether they are service animals offering independence, emotional support companions bringing peace, or beloved family pets keeping us company, dogs have a remarkable way of making our world brighter. Their loyalty and intuition remind us daily of the profound power of the human-animal bond.

To all the wonderful dogs (and the humans who cherish them), today we celebrate you! Extra treats, belly rubs, and long walks for everyone. 🐾❤️

What a truly magical evening! ✨

I am so deeply honored and humbled to be recognized as a 2026 New Mexico Humanitarian Award Honoree. 🕊️

The New Mexico Humanitarian Award is all about lifting up the spirit of humanity, a value that guides everything I do every single day. Receiving this award is so much more than a personal milestone for me; it is a celebration of the extraordinary, resilient individuals we serve and the incredible, heart-centered team I am so lucky to work with at La Casa, Inc.

My lifelong passion has been advocating for disability access, honoring and promoting the power of the human-animal bond, and helping agencies build trauma-informed systems that truly welcome everyone.

I felt so grateful to celebrate this special night alongside my wonderful La Casa team, as well as dear community leaders like Kasandra Gandara and New Mexico State Senator Bill Soules. Thank you to everyone who made the evening so memorable, to the award committee, and to all of you for your constant support, encouragement, and love!