Pet therapy charity expands in Alberta, starting with Okotoks

An Edmonton-based pet therapy charity is expanding to southern Alberta, starting with Okotoks.

The Chimo Animal Assisted Wellness and Learning Society (CAAWLS) aims to improve the mental wellness of people through the human-animal bond.

It's a cause that resonated with Okotoks resident Michelle Szott, who reached out to the organization to see how she and her dog Lucy could get involved.

“I thought that would be a perfect opportunity for my dog and myself to get involved in our community,” she said. “We recently just moved here in the last couple of years and we were looking for volunteer opportunities.”

Szott was surprised to find out that, despite the organization's prominence in Edmonton and surrounding area, there was no presence in southern Alberta.

When CAAWLS director Jeffrey Friend asked if she and Lucy would like to be the organization's first team in southern Alberta, Szott was happy to hop on board.

“Working with seniors and adults, and anybody that's in need under these stressful, anxiety-filled times that we're living with, I'm just happy to do it,” she said.

After some outreach, Szott was able to partner up with École Good Shepherd School, a Catholic elementary school in Okotoks. Since November, she and Lucy have been going weekly to interact with students.

“It's been a fantastic partnership,” she said. “I get to see six children and they get to have their moment with my dog, and whatever that is for them. Some of them just want to come and brush her, and some want to crawl through tunnels and jump over chairs.”

Pet therapy sessions like these are an excellent opportunity for the students to learn about friendship and kindness, she said.

“In the kindergarten class, we went in and we spoke about gentle hands and gentle voices, and how that would work with their friends,” she added.

“If you're gentle with the dog, the dog will be kind. Same with your friends. It's kind of all teaching lessons in that respect.”

Szott's work with the organization has focused on young students, but CAAWLS does goes beyond that. With over 100 teams in the Edmonton area, the organization does everything from schools and nursing homes to support for those fleeing from domestic violence or struggling with substance abuse.

“I really believe that there is a great need in this community, and I would love to see it blossom in Okotoks,” she said. 

CAAWLS started as The Chimo Project and was founded in 2014 by Dennis Anderson, former president of the Canadian Mental Health Association in Alberta. The name “Chimo” comes from Anderson's dog and is a toast for “good cheer” in the Inuit language of Inuktitut.

Learn more about CAAWLS and how to get involved on the organization's website.