“Unleashing Happiness” a monthly blog by Karen Lee Stevens

Director of Wellness Programs, Karen Lee Stevens tackles topics related to mental health and the human-animal bond, along with a healthy dose of humor (because let’s face it, sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying!).

BLOG POST #26 – Pawsitively Exhausted

October 7, 2025
by KAREN LEE STEVENS

I was planning a fairly quiet summer — perhaps catching up on sleep and finally diving into Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book, All the Way to the River. Instead, it became a whirlwind of book launches, podcast interviews, program development, and a whole lot of tail-wagging fun. Honestly, I’m starting to think my spirit animal is now a golden retriever on a triple espresso shot – boundless energy, slightly goofy, and always ready for the next big adventure!

First up on the grand tour of my summer shenanigans was the release of my brand-new children’s book, Little Ruby’s Big Dream. This sweet story introduces young readers to Ruby, a puppy who dreams of becoming a therapy dog. She’s always anxious, though, and thinks something is wrong with her. But with the help of some wise animal friends, Ruby learns to overcome her worries and turn her anxiety into a gift to help others.

We held our first storytime at Godmothers in Summerland on September 27, and let me tell you, seeing all those little faces light up as I read about Little Ruby’s adventures was pure magic. The best part, though, came after I read the final page: a sweet little girl made her way to the front just to shyly whisper in my ear that Carefree Butterfly was her favorite character. Her beaming mom let me know they couldn’t wait to curl up and read their very own copy at home. If you haven’t snagged your copy yet, head over to amazon.com. It’s the perfect bedtime story to empower youngsters to manage their emotions and believe in themselves, just like Little Ruby.

Speaking of inspiration, I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Vital Pet Life Unleashed Curiosity podcast with the wonderful host, Dr Amber. We talked about the origins of Therapy Dogs of America, from a small spark of an idea to the incredible organization it is today. It was an opportunity to share the passion that drives our team and chat about how the unconditional love of dogs truly transforms lives. If you’re looking for a dose of feel-good and perhaps a chuckle or two, give it a listen HERE.

And because “relaxing summer” apparently wasn’t on my agenda, I also spent a good chunk of time developing our new Wag Well Teacher Training Program for aspiring Mindfulness instructors. This program is my passion project — a way to flood school communities with calming, grounding mindfulness, all with a little help from our four-legged friends. Think of it as yoga teacher training, but with less downward-facing dog (unless your dog is particularly flexible!). If you feel the call to become a Mindfulness Instructor and help us spread the zen, please reach out to me — I would love to talk with you!

So, there you have it—my summer in a nutshell. While there were days when I felt like I was running on fumes, every time I saw a child’s face light up or heard about a therapy dog making a difference, it reignited my energy. The human-animal bond is a powerful force for good, and I feel incredibly fortunate to dedicate my life to celebrating and strengthening it.
As we head into autumn (my favorite time of year!), I’m looking forward to a slightly less frantic pace; maybe even some actual reading time. But rest assured, my mission to unleash happiness continues, powered by boundless, golden retriever energy. Thank you, as always, for being a part of this amazing journey. Until next time, keep those tails wagging and those hearts open!

Learn more about becoming a Mindfulness Instructor or share your summer adventures with Karen by sending her an email at karen@therapydogssb.org.

[/vc_column_inner]