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Joan, an avid dog-lover and former Pediatric Nurse, spent much of her career gaining fulfillment through helping sick children. When her health began to decline and it became clear she would have to sacrifice the career she loved to take care of her physical well-being, she was desperate to find a way to still uplift children in need. This was the moment where a friend mentioned an organization she was volunteering with – Catholic Social Services (CSS) – and suggested Joan reach out about Pet Therapy.

With her youngest daughter off to university and a few years after retirement, Maria Hicks was looking for a new way to spend her time. “I needed a mission. I needed to do something that would give me a feeling of purpose and fulfillment,” Maria says. “I’m not gifted to be a leader, and I don’t have a lot of money that I can share. This is what I can do. It’s the feeling of mothering, of nurturing, helping someone who needs it.”