Camarillo, CA – Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families excitedly welcomed Pearl to the family – continuing their tradition of using Newfoundland dogs as therapy dogs on campus. Pearl arrived on campus at 10 weeks old and weighing 23 pounds. Pearl is happily adjusting to her new surroundings, primarily residing in the Intake Department with her handler Kelly Myers, Intake Supervisor. Pearl will not only be greeting and providing kids comfort as they enter and leave campus – both residential youth and students of Casa Pacifica’s Nonpublic School – but providing therapeutic support for the kids.
“She just fits right in. It’s like she’s always been here – she’s doing great,” says Myers. “We are excited to introduce you to Pearl, our newest addition to the team at Casa Pacifica. Pearl is the 5th Newfoundland to come to Casa Pacifica to carry on our tradition of offering animal assisted therapy. As we continue to bring Newfoundland’s on to campus to work with our youth, we strive to learn new ways to increase the human-animal bond and promote resilience and healing in non-traditional formats,” says Dr. Josh Lepore, Clinical Director and handler of Otis, Casa Pacifica’s other Newfoundland therapy dog.
Casa Pacifica’s tradition of using “Newfies” started with their original therapy dog Archie who was donated by Mary and Tony Tesoro in 2007. Archie was joined by Baker and Tess, donated in 2011 by Dianna and Sean Baker and Cheryl and John Broome respectively. Longtime Casa Pacifica supporter Bettina Chandler gifted the nonprofit Otis Chandler Bing in 2014. Archie passed away in 2015 and earlier this year, Baker also passed away due to health complications. With Otis’s schedule full of meetings and therapy sessions, the need for another dog was apparent. The Perlman Family Foundation recently granted Casa Pacifica with a generous ‘Perlman Angel Fund’ to help individuals who are struggling to overcome life’s obstacles with targeted interventions. Casa Pacifica was honored to name Pearl after the Perlman Family. She will bring joy and comfort to the kids of Casa Pacifica for years to come.
Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for foster or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The agency is the largest non-profit provider of children’s mental health services in both counties and administers a number of community-based programs designed to strengthen families and keep children in their homes and communities. Casa Pacifica is also a foster family agency, which recruits and trains families for potential placement with a foster youth. For more information about Casa Pacifica visit its website www.casapacifica.org or call the Development & Public Relations Department at (805) 445-7800.
Casa Pacifica’s Mission Statement: Casa Pacifica restores hope, enhances resilience, and strengthens community connections for children, young adults and families at the most challenging times of their lives.
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