Stories from the Field
On a breezy—but beautiful— June summer evening in Monticello, Minnesota, I had the privilege of participating in Raise the Ruff 2026 at Nordic Taphouse, a fundraiser benefiting You're Not Alone (YNA) and its incredible therapy dog program.
While the evening celebrated an important cause, what stayed with me most were the conversations.
Throughout the night, I had the opportunity to meet fellow animal lovers, answer thoughtful questions about animal communication, and connect with people who share a deep appreciation for the unique relationships we have with the animals in our lives. Every conversation was a reminder that curiosity often begins with love—a love for the companions who walk beside us each day.
One of the highlights of the evening was reconnecting with two wonderful clients of mine from the You're Not Alone therapy dog handler teams who stopped by to say hello. It was such a joy to visit with Cheryl and her beautiful girl, Ginger, as well as Maureen and Scott, accompanied by their therapy dog, Ember. It was especially meaningful to reminisce on their black lab, Wizard, whom I had the privilege of connecting with before her transition to Spirit.
Seeing familiar faces at an outdoor venue filled with so many compassionate people meant more than I can express. Moments like these remind me that this work extends far beyond a single session. It is built on trust, connection, and the relationships that continue to grow long after our first conversation.
The event itself was a tremendous success, raising an incredible $36,000 to help bring therapy dog visits to schools across Minnesota. Every conversation, every donation, every volunteer, and every act of generosity helped ensure that more students will experience the unconditional comfort and connection that therapy dogs bring into schools. Watching a community come together in support of such a meaningful mission was both inspiring and humbling.
As I packed up that evening, I found myself reflecting on how fortunate I am. Every event, every client, every animal, and every conversation becomes another chapter in this journey—one I never take for granted.
To Amy, the entire Raise the Ruff team, the volunteers, sponsors, donors, and everyone who stopped by my table, thank you for making the evening so memorable. Your kindness, curiosity, and generosity are helping create meaningful connections that will continue to touch lives long after the event has ended.
I'm already looking forward to next year.
Learn More About You're Not Alone
Raise the Ruff is just one of the many ways You're Not Alone supports whole-person health and well-being through the incredible work of therapy dog teams. Their mission is to foster acceptance, understanding, empathy, and meaningful connection within schools and communities throughout Minnesota and beyond.
To learn more about their mission, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support their work, visit ynausa.org.
