good karma

Karma's Causes

The heartbreak that comes from the loss of an animal is all-encompassing. My life was changed forever and I’ve never stopped grieving my dogs Sydney and Karma.


Channeling that sadness into creating impactful programs that honor their legacies has been a part of my process and I’m proud to share them with you and our community.

Certified Canine Crisis & Therapy Dog

In 2013, Karma became a certified therapy dog. In her role, Karma helped comfort children in hospitals ensuring they were at ease, calm and less stressed during their stay. She made her rounds with the doctors to each patient’s room and laid on the bed with the child while procedures such as blood draws, chemotherapy, MRI's and other tests were performed. Her specialty was snuggling close to them while they received treatments.


A few years later, she was trained for crisis dog work. Crisis dogs are specifically trained to participate in traumatic situations and are proficient in being able to tolerate, adapt and cope with the physical and emotional stress of critical incidents. They are specially trained to work in unpredictable, fast paced and frequently changing environments with various types of people and other dogs.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

On February 14, 2018, when a tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School claimed the lives of 17 innocent victims, Karma was the first therapy/crisis dog onsite in the Parkland schools and community the next day. She was specifically trained to participate in traumatic situations and was proficient in being able to tolerate, adapt and cope with the physical and emotional stress of critical incidents. She was invaluable in providing unconditional love, encouraging resilience, providing comfort and effective, safe mental health support to the impacted community.


She worked tirelessly throughout the year, side by side first responders, school psychologists, families, students, faculty, teachers and the community at large to help reduce a painful range of emotions and responses experienced by the people exposed to this high stress and traumatic event. Karma attended community vigils, visited people at their homes, went to schools and continued to be a resource for those affected by the shooting. Most of the kids didn’t want to talk to anybody. What happened was beyond horrific. With the counselors and psychologists at the school, Karma was taken into therapy sessions with the students. Her presence with the students enabled them to feel they were in a safe environment and were able to cry and talk to her about what had happened and how they felt.

 

Karma continued to support the Parkland community the following two years as well, attending community outreach events and fundraisers for the victims. Karma has received national and international recognition for her volunteer work. She has been published in many magazines as well as two books; Channel Kindness by Lady Gaga and the Born this Way Foundation and Mutual Rescue by Carol Novello.

COVID-19 Outreach

When COVID-19 struck our community in March 2020, despite having been just diagnosed with liver cancer, Karma went back to work providing outreach to the community both locally and out of state. Although not quite the same as touching an actual dog, Karma was able to virtually visit children in hospitals all over the United States as well as her local community. In a time when people are isolated from family, friends and loved ones, having a therapy dog virtually visit you and provide some laughter and joy helps people feel connected. 


Karma was my best most magical girl. She was intensely loyal and loving. She lived a rewarding life bringing cheer to everyone she met and competing in a variety of companion and performance dog sports. She also ferociously fought liver cancer for two years before crossing over the rainbow on November 7, 2021. 


Pay It Forward

Stay Magical

“Always look for the helpers. There will always be helpers. Because if you look for the helpers, you’ll know there’s hope.” 

 -Fred Rogers, interview with Television Academy 1999



Karma’s Causes was created to support the following nonprofits and charities that were near and dear to her heart through donations, volunteer hours and advocacy. Please join me by making your tax-deductible donation in her honor and memory.


Pay It Forward

Stay Magical

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