A Miramar Beach nonprofit that provides therapy dog services received a $5,000 grant in September from the NextEra Energy Foundation to expand its programs serving children and families across Northwest Florida.
- Dog-Harmony Inc., founded in 2015, will use the grant to expand recruitment, specialty training, evaluation, management and deployment of new therapy dog teams serving children and families across Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties. The organization’s therapy dog teams consist of volunteers and their dogs.
The nonprofit offers structured literacy support through its READing Paws program, supports humane education classes in libraries for children and families, conducts hospital visits for patients and staff, and provides wellness visits for at-risk youth.
“We are very grateful to FPL and the NextEra Energy Foundation for this generous support,” said Nancy Bown, founder of Dog-Harmony. “This funding allows us to expand the number of therapy dog teams so more children can experience the calming effects that come from reading and emotionally connecting with a supportive therapy dog.”
Dog-Harmony partners with local schools, public libraries and nonprofit facilities, including Children in Crisis, Lotus Learning Center and Westonwood Ranch, to offer services at no cost to the community. At the end of September, Dog-Harmony had served 2,090 children.
The grant addresses growing demand for therapy dog teams that has exceeded the nonprofit’s resources.
“Supporting organizations like Dog-Harmony reflects the NextEra Energy Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the communities we serve,” said J.T. Young, vice president and general manager of FPL’s northwest region. “Therapy dog programs provide invaluable emotional support and educational benefits to children and families, helping build stronger, more resilient communities. We’re honored to partner with nonprofits that make such a meaningful difference in the lives of families.”
The NextEra Energy Foundation is a corporate charitable foundation of NextEra Energy Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company.
