Animal Assisted Interventions/Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy plays an important role in supporting the emotional well-being of youth at Casa Pacifica. For young people experiencing trauma, anxiety, or separation from home, interactions with therapy animals can provide comfort, reduce stress, and create a sense of safety.
History of Newfoundlands
Casa Pacifica’s first therapy dog, Archie, joined the campus in 2005. He was introduced to bring comfort, warmth, and unconditional acceptance to children during a vulnerable time.
The Newfoundland breed, often called a “Newfie,” was chosen for its gentle nature and strong reputation with children. Archie supported youth in many ways—helping ease difficult emotions, encouraging participation in social activities, and strengthening social connections. He also played a role in community outreach and marketing.
Today, Casa Pacifica continues to bring Newfies to campus to provide supportive therapeutic interactions for youth in residence while also helping educate the community about high-risk youth and the agency’s work.
Why Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Many former residents return to Casa Pacifica and share how meaningful the therapy dogs were during their time away from home. They often describe how the dogs helped ease loneliness, offered hope, and provided comfort on difficult days.
One youth recently shared that brushing a therapy dog each day helped her stop cutting—an experience supported by research showing that interacting with dogs can reduce stress and help buffer feelings of loneliness.
In residential treatment settings, where privacy can be limited, therapy dogs also provide something unique: a quiet, shared space that feels safe and home-like. These interactions can offer comfort, encourage openness, and provide a healthy distraction from daily challenges.
When a treatment team determines that animal-assisted therapy would be beneficial, a plan is developed that includes specific activities with a therapy dog aligned with the youth’s treatment goals.
Pearl, Casa Pacifica’s on-campus therapy dog
Equine Assisted Therapy
Camino a Casa works with Whole Heart Equine Assisted Therapy to provide equine therapy services for its clients. Below is a description of services taken from Whole Heart’s website:
“Whole Heart can help you learn about yourself, about your own integrity and leadership in your life, through the power and honesty of horses.
At Whole Heart, we offer the unique opportunity for self-discovery through the holistic experience of working with horses. This hands-on form of therapy, for individuals, youth, families or groups, provides deep insight into behavioral patterns and self-limiting beliefs as well as the opportunity to gain powerful tools for change.
Meet Corey Cardenas
Corey Cardenas is a certified EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning) specialist since 2011. “I have been in love with horses for as long as I can remember, and riding them since I was 3 years old. Although horses are big and strong, as prey animals they are wonderfully present, simply honest and able to read body language with a subtle art. Spending most of my life with horses, I have been shaped and trained by these majestic animals. I have learned to pay greater attention to those around me. With a compassionate curiosity for my fellow human beings, and a long path of meditation and self-inquiry, I have teamed with my horses in the last seven years to help people in all walks of life. My horses include Gracie, Koa and the two miniature horses, Sassy and Magic.”
Corey Cardenas , EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) certified equine specialist.
