Building a Kinder Community: FPL’s Commitment to Mental Well-being and Education

Building a Kinder Community: FPL’s Commitment to Mental Well-being and Education

Image of a little girl reading a book to a Dog-Harmony Therapy Dog.

In our fast-paced world, the health of a community is measured by more than just its infrastructure: it is defined by the mental well-being and compassion of its people. Florida Power & Light (FPL) has long been a pillar of support for our region, but its impact extends far beyond providing energy. Through their “Power to Care” initiative, FPL is actively investing in the emotional and educational fabric of our community, fostering an environment where kindness and mental health are top priorities.

A shining example of this commitment is FPL’s role as a 2025 Loyal Companion Sponsor for Dog-Harmony, a local non-profit dedicated to enriching the bond between humans and animals. This partnership is a testament to FPL’s belief that mental well-being often starts with the unique comfort that animals provide.

 

Dog-Harmony’s work is transformative. By coordinating therapy dog teams that visit hospitals, schools, and even juvenile justice facilities, they provide a vital emotional outlet for those facing stress or isolation. These “four-legged therapists” help lower anxiety, improve communication, and offer a sense of peace that traditional methods sometimes cannot reach.

Beyond immediate emotional support, FPL’s sponsorship champions humane education. Dog-Harmony’s programs teach children the values of respect, responsibility, and empathy. By educating the next generation on how to treat animals with kindness, we are effectively teaching them how to be more compassionate humans. This foundation of empathy is essential for building a safer, more supportive community for everyone.

FPL’s dedication to community giving reminds us that we are all connected. By supporting organizations like Dog-Harmony, FPL is helping to ensure that our area remains a place where mental health is nurtured and kindness is taught as a fundamental life skill. Together, we are powering a brighter, more compassionate future. Please visit Β https://www.fpl.com/community.html for more information on its community giving.

Free Ticket 2025 Hops for Hounds

Free Ticket 2025 Hops for Hounds

Β 1 FREE TICKET

Put on your walking shoes and leash up your furry friends because
Hops for Hounds is back!

Join Dog-Harmony for an exciting day at the Fifth Annual Hops for Hounds, happening on Sunday, February 23rd from 1-3 pm at Props Craft Brewery Hammock Bay.

The event will feature a short tail-wagging stroll followed by a lively after-party celebrating our beloved pets! With your registration, you and your furry companion can enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere featuring craft beer, live music, food trucks, and more. Rescue Animal Photography is sponsoring professional photographs of you and your canine.

Don’t miss out on our exclusive event T-shirtsβ€”quantities are limited, so be sure to register early! Registrations received by Monday, February 10 will guarantee your T-shirt.

Bring your whole family and your four-legged pals for a day of fun while raising funds for Dog-Harmony. All proceeds from Hops for Hounds will help support the pups and programs in our community.

All dogs must be current on rabies vaccinations and at least 6 months old.
Please no prong, shock, or choke collars.

Did you know Dog Harmony’s services include Animal Assisted Therapy, Children’s Education and Community Education, Pet Bereavement Counseling, and a low-income, needs-based program for keeping dogs at home and out of shelters? Last year, our Therapy Dog program touched the lives of over 200 people in local hospitals each week. Dog-Harmony also provided over 240 hours of education and training for families with pups who were at risk of owner surrender situations.

Ticket: $35Β  1 FREE/entry
Includes: entry for one human and furry companion, an adult-sized t-shirt, a digital photo of you and your pet, and a beer
T-shirt (for human laughing): Limited Quantity! Please mark your size in the form below: Adult Unisex (no youth shirts) S, M, L, XL, XXL
Date: Sunday, February 23rdΒ 
Time:Β  1:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: The Windmills and Props Brewery at Hammock Bay, Freeport FL
Each entry receives one complimentary craft beer from Props Brewery – must be 21 yrs old or over to drink it!

Start 2025 Off Right!

Be an Event Sponsor at
Hops for Hounds

Want to make a real impact with your marketing?

Join us for one of the best feel-good events of the year for dogs and their humans!

Click on the sponsorship package for more info and contact us before we sell out.

Event Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Logo for Poo Poo Crew company

Event Sponsors

Media Sponsor

Radio Station Hwy 331.com
Boomer’s Story

Boomer’s Story

Written by Jeri McClung and shared with Dog-Harmony

Life is filled with little joyful moments.

I’m sharing one that happened in my veterinarian’s office today. I hope it makes you smile.
A young lady, 19 yrs old now, is a vet tech in-training. While Boomer (now 18.5 yrs old) was in the back for his check-up, she came to the lobby and asked “is that the same Boomer that me and my sister used to read with at the library?”

When she told me their names, I got chill bumps.

What are the odds?!?!

Β They were both regular readers at the Fort Walton Beach Library. Her little sister was very attached to Boomer and she improved her reading over 3 years.
On the way home, I could not get my eyes to stop misting!
Boomer the Therapy Dog  helping a child read a book.
Boomer the Therapy Dog waiting to read with children in the READ program at a local Library.
ITA Pet therapy and the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) programs are home runs.

Over 800 Hours of Service

When Boomer retired in March 2024, he had over 800 hours of community volunteer work including the READ program at schools, libraries, hospice work/visits, visits at many assisted living facilities and several years of visits at Okaloosa County Juvenile Detention Center.

Boomer the Therapy Dog is retired from service.

Vote Dec. 3rd for Dog-Harmony’s Tree at Festival of Trees at the Park on Grand Boulevard

Vote Dec. 3rd for Dog-Harmony’s Tree at Festival of Trees at the Park on Grand Boulevard

Join us Tuesday, December 3rd from 4pm-6:30pm for The Festival of Trees Kick-Off where Dog-Harmony and 17 other non-profit organizations will decorate trees and compete to win cash prizes totaling $8,500, including Best of Show and People’s Choice. The People’s Choice winner will be voted on and announced along with Best of Show, Second and Third Place winners. Held on National Day of Giving, join the fun and vote for your favorite tree to win the People’s Choice Award.

Each vote is $5 and can only be cast at this event on Dec. 3rd. We hope to see at the Park on Grand Boulevard!

The trees will remain on display in Grand Park through Christmas (Dec. 3-25) for all to enjoy!

More information about the event and the Festival of Trees: https://grandboulevard.com/event/festival-of-trees-in-grand-park/

The 2024 Dog-Harmony Tree at Grand Boulevard's Festival of Trees
Call for Photos: My Dog Rescued Me

Call for Photos: My Dog Rescued Me

Show Everyone the Dog Who Rescued You!

Dog-Harmony is calling for photos of the dogs who rescued their owners, or people who were helped by one of our Therapy Dog Teams. Now until November 24, 2024, submit a photo (.jpg, .png, or .pdf) of your dog, or dogs, to us for printing and making custom ornaments that will be displayed on our Christmas tree in Grand Boulevard’s Festival of Trees in Sandestin, December 3rd-26th.
The trees will remain outside during the event so our ornaments are made of sturdy white plastic, tied with an aqua ribbon, and your photo is sealed with clear vinyl. Please indicate in the form below if you would like to pick up your ornament after the event, in early January.
If you don’t want an ornament that has been outside, and you’d like to put it on your own tree, select the number of copies you want mailed to you before we put the original one on the tree. The copies are $10 each, to cover the cost of supplies and mailing. You will receive your mailed ornament copy during the first week of December.

Join us Tuesday, December 3rd from 4 pm to 6:30 pm for The Festival of Trees Kick-Off at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin.

Dog-Harmony and 17 other non-profit organizations will compete to win cash prizes totaling $8,500, including Best of Show and People’s Choice.Β 

Use the form below to submit your photo and request a copy of your customized ornament.
Family Pawtraits with Santa

Family Pawtraits with Santa

Your photo is ready! Download it from Rescue Animal Photography at

https://www.rescueanimalphotography.org/pawtraits-with-santa

Look! Look, everyone! It’s Santa! Oh my gosh, it’s Santa!!!

Register today for a fun time with your pup. Your registration per dog will get you a family pawtrait with Santa – yes, the Big Guy in Red! Your ticket includes a digital holiday photo and 1 ticket for the chance drawing of a dog swag bag.

It will be a mirthful outting for eveyone with refreshments, a fun doggie social, and Dog-Harmony is selling hand painted ornaments to make your holidays even more special. Photos are taken by Rescue Animal Photography!
Join us at Salty Paws Boutique in the Destin Commons on Nov. 30th from 11am – 2pm!

We’re still taking walk-ins!

Use the form below to purchase your one of a kind ornament or a hand-crafted card.

Hand painted Ornaments to Support Dog-Harmony

We have commissioned local artisans to hand paint ornaments to celebrate the holidays and support Dog-Harmony! You may add as many ornaments as you would like to your photo ticket purchase using the form above.

The ornaments will be ready for you to select and pick up at the Pawtraits With Santa event on November 30th at Salty Paws Boutique in the Destin Commons.

Event Sponsors

Salty Paws logo
Rescue Animal Photography logo