APRIL 2018 42 | GIVING BACK CONTINUED Gabriel’s Angels began with the traditional group visits program and grew to include the individual intervention program, where a child works one-on-one with an animal and therapist. Another Gabriel’s Angels program is Animals, Books and Children, which allows first- through third-grade students at Title I schools to develop their reading skills by reading to therapy animals. The healthy attachment, self-regulation, affiliation, empathy, tolerance, respect and confidence participants develop through the programs help kids establish a foundation for a healthy future, breaking the cycle of violence. “They have to have these behaviors or they’re going to repeat the very cycle of violence they were victims of,” Gaber said. “I don’t want to see the kids of the kids we’re seeing today. We’re at it every day, hard and furious.” Gabriel’s Angels’ extensive evaluations show that the program works in developing these behaviors, cultivating a love of animals and a sense of compassion for them and people alike. “It was probably our sixth visit at a non- lockdown group home in Mesa where I met David. This 15 year old looks at me and says, ‘I want to tell you something.’ I thought ‘A 15-year-old kid wants to tell me something? It’s not going to be good,’” Gaber said. “So, I said, ‘What do you want to tell me?’ and he looked at me and he goes, ‘I get it.’ I asked, ‘What do you get, David?’ and he said, ‘I’ve abused animals before, but I’d never do it again because I know Noah loves me and I know he has feelings and I would never hurt another animal.’” Gaber continued, "David asked why I was crying and I told him, ‘David, this is why I come here. You’ve developed compassion, and not because of me, because of the unconditional love of an animal. You get that animals have feelings and I bet that you get that I have feelings and other people have feelings.’ He said, ‘Yeah, I get it.’”

APRIL 2018 | 43 Gabriel’s Angels hosts several events throughout the year to raise awareness and funds for the organization, with one of its signature events being the Unleash the Love breakfast taking place this year on April 26 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. The event, which began 14 years ago, has grown with the organization, beginning with 140 people and now hosting more than 1,000. At the breakfast, Gabriel’s Angels supporters have the opportunity to meet some of the therapy teams, interact with the dogs and learn more about Gabriel’s Angels programs, which provide increased well-being and happiness for children who have been removed from households where they were neglected or abused. “It’s that mission-packed hour where people laugh, people cry. There are tissues on the table and 50 therapy dogs there. I think it is the best event we put on,” Gaber said. For more information, visit gabrielsangels.org . THE EVENT CONNECTING WOMEN WHERE THEY WORK, LIVE OR PLAY Join us where you live, work or play to connect with like-minded women to share information, ideas, contacts and opportunities. Learn more at: eastvalleywomen.org | centralphoenixwomen.org | womenofscottsdale.org