Hi, I'm Genie. To introduce myself, in 2010 I began bringing therapy dogs to active duty and veterans, reducing their stress and bringing comfort and companionship. Realizing the power and healing impact of this work, in 2020 I founded The Human-Animal Connection. Since 2010, we have worked with over 4,000 service members, 1,250 high school students, trained 100 veterinary students, 200 Vet Tech Assistant trainees, and have over 400 Therapy Animal visits with veterans, 911 Operators, disabled children, victims of sexual abuse, and anyone in need of comfort and healing.

The Human-Animal Connection works with all ages and abilities. We specialize in gentle emotional healing with our thirty-three principles of transformation.  Trained therapy animals reach people and heal in a way that is beyond word by reconnecting with their heart and the sense of goodness in the animals, themselves, and life. Based in Tucson, Arizona, we have a small animal sanctuary where we have therapy dogs and therapy donkeys.

We help people and animals heal each other.

We view animals as partners in healing, not tools of healing.

It is important to us that the animal enjoys the experience as much as the person.

Learning our methods of how to reduce emotional pain in animals is just as good for the person as the animal they are helping.

I'd also like to introduce you to Oscar, my rescue pitbull therapy dog. Within seconds of meeting someone, Oscar could sense who was struggling, who needed a spark of hope. And with a single touch, he could draw them into a place of love and connection, beginning to heal their wounded hearts. Oscar, a former bait dog with scars and missing teeth, showed everyone that love—without judgment, words, or conditions—can open the deepest wells of healing. Oscar’s capacity to change lives inspired me to devote my life to this work.

Oscar and I showed hospitalized soldiers that healing traumatized shelter dogs is a powerful way to heal themselves. 

Harry, our newest therapy dog, loves to love everyone he meets!

Oscar has helped save the lives of active duty and veterans.

Canines Teach Compassion

Our flagship program, Canines Teach Compassion, brings therapy animals into classrooms where students are invited to sign a Kindness Pledge to all beings. Students not only learn to understand their own emotional lives but also witness the transformation of shelter dogs using our calming methods. They gain insight into evaluating potential therapy dog candidates and learn how to train with respect for animals' feelings. At Rincon High School, our program has been shown to reduce stress by 65% after just one session of guided interaction.

Therapy Donkeys

We have an innovative Therapy Donkey program that helps people who have not responded to ordinary treatment modalities. 

May I introduce you to Rosie and Lilly, our mother-daughter mini therapy donkeys, whom we adopted after their previous owner passed away. These gentle souls have brought comfort to people of all ages—young and old, from one year old to eighty-five. They help those recovering from cancer, sexual abuse, grief, and trauma, offering a soothing presence that feels almost magical. To look into a donkey’s eyes and feel seen beyond your pain—that experience stays with people forever. Donkeys teach the power of curiosity, peace, and respecting personal boundaries, showing that in companionship and gentle silence, we can hear the answers we need.

Our Guiding Principles

The Human-Animal Connection is committed to improving the culture of how people view, and thus treat animals. We believe that - 

• Animals have opinions. They have a wisdom that is beyond words, and respecting animal wisdom is central to our work.
• Animals are communicating all the time. As humans, we can do much more to understand and connect with their desires and needs.
• Animals have souls. We believe it is possible to communicate with them telepathically, whether or not they are still in physical form.
• Each animal is an individual, and that their purpose is unique to them. As good shepherds, our job is to recognize their purpose and do what we can to allow it to flourish.

Support Our Mission

We’re incredibly grateful for your support. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission of bringing more furry love to those in need of connection, comfort, and joy. Please consider a one-time or monthly tax deductible donation. Together, we can transform lives, one paw at a time. Thank you!