NextEra Energy Foundation and FPL Bound in with Gift to Grow Dog-Harmony Therapy Dog Teams

NextEra Energy Foundation and FPL Bound in with Gift to Grow Dog-Harmony Therapy Dog Teams

by | Sep 25, 2025 | Press Releases

Miramar Beach, Fla. — In September, NextEra Energy Foundation awarded Dog-Harmony, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the bond between people and animals through humane education and professionally evaluated therapy dog team programs, a $5,000 grant. The NextEra Energy Foundation is a corporate charitable foundation of NextEra Energy, Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL).

This grant will help expand the recruitment, specialty training, evaluation, management, and deployment of new therapy dog teams serving children and families across Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties in Northwest Florida. The therapy dog teams, consisting of a volunteer and their dog, offer structured literacy support through the READing Paws program, support humane education classes in libraries for children and families, conduct hospital visits for patients and staff, and provide wellness visits for at-risk youth.

Dog-Harmony partners with local schools, public libraries, and non-profit facilities, including Children in Crisis, Lotus Learning Center, and Westonwood Ranch, to offer these services at no cost to the community. At the end of September 2025, Dog-Harmony served a total of 2,090 children. As the demand for therapy dog teams continues to grow, exceeding the nonprofit’s resources, the NextEra Energy Foundation grant helps ensure that more children will have access to the emotional comfort and academic encouragement they provide.

“We are very grateful to FPL and the NextEra Energy Foundation for this generous support,” said Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, Founder of Dog-Harmony. “This funding allows us to expand the number of therapy dog teams so more children can experience the calming effects that come from reading and emotionally connecting with a supportive therapy dog.”

“Supporting organizations like Dog-Harmony reflects the NextEra Energy Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the communities we serve,” said J.T. Young, Vice President and General Manager of FPL’s northwest region. “Therapy dog programs provide invaluable emotional support and educational benefits to children and families, helping build stronger, more resilient communities. We’re honored to partner with nonprofits that make such a meaningful difference in the lives of families.”

For more information about Dog-Harmony’s programs or to learn how to get involved, visit https://dog-harmony.org. Follow the celebration online: #FPLCares.

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About Dog-Harmony: Dog-Harmony is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2015 by certified professional dog trainer Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA. The organization is dedicated to enhancing the bond between dogs and humans through community education. In essence, it helps dogs rescue people. Dog-Harmony’s key programs include therapy dog team support services, humane education for children and families, Keeping Dogs in Homes, and pet bereavement counseling. These programs are made possible through donations, grants, and the continued support of dedicated volunteers. For more information, visit www.dog-harmony.org.

About NextEra Energy Foundation: NextEra Energy Foundation partners with and invests in non-profit organizations throughout Northwest Florida. It aims to build strong and sustainable communities, improving the lives of its customers through innovation, sustainability, opportunity, and safety. The NextEra Energy Foundation is a corporate charitable foundation of NextEra Energy, Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL).

Poem for Dog-Harmony by Lotus Learning & Arts Center

Poem for Dog-Harmony by Lotus Learning & Arts Center

by | May 26, 2025 | Community, Paw Print Press, Testimonials

We’re so proud of the students and our volunteer therapy dog team, Kay and Tiger, who attended the end-of-year graduation celebration at Lotus Learning & Arts Center. Their visits throughout the year have brought calm, connection, and confidence to the Lotus Learning students through joyful, meaningful interactions.
 
As a special thank you, the children wrote a beautiful poem and presented Dog-Harmony with a heartfelt card and a Certificate of Appreciation. This is what the human-animal bond is all about. Thank you to Lotus Learning & Arts Center for your appreciation and for letting our therapy dogs be part of your amazing community.
Poem by Lotus Learning & Arts Center Written for Dog-Harmony
You brought your smile, your heart, your song,
And let us chime and play along.
 
From the “D” the dog to “F” the frog,
We played the keys, we danced with the dog!
 
We learned to listen, learned to share,
To play together with love and care.
 
You taught us “Jaws” with notes so low,
And “Star Wars” with a Jedi glow!
 
The bells rang bright in every hand,
With Christmas tunes and our small band.
 
We now know how to greet a pup,
To give soft pets and not run up.
 
For all you gave, we thank you so,
More than music – you helped us grow.
 
So here’s a gift, from all of us here,
With love and hugs to last all year!
photograph of therapy dog team, kay and tiger, at Lotus Learning center sitting in front of keyboard
Kay, a Dog-Harmony volunteer, standing at the music table with multi-colored bells on top at Lotus Learning & Art Center

Tiger's Story

Click the image below to read Kay’s story of Tiger’s rescue and therapy dog certification with Dog-Harmony!

A Picture Collage of Tiger the therapy dog - before, during, and after rescue with the words "love is giving back"
Tiger’s Story

Tiger’s Story

by | Feb 15, 2025 | Community, Paw Print Press

Written by Kay Graves

We rescued Tiger in 2015 at Our Pal’s Place in Marietta, GA. He was approximately one year old. I had two older dogs at the time. Had it not been for Charley’s loving care, I am not sure Tiger would have made it. It took about 2 years for Tiger to adjust (calm).

We trained with Dog-Harmony to become a therapy dog team. We now volunteer at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and Lotus Learning & Arts Center. We walk with the Dog-Harmony’s therapy dog teams at HCA and greet staff and patients.

At Lotus Learning Center, the children read to Tiger, or we explore music through handbells or keyboard. Before Christmas, we learned to play short pieces of Jingle Bells, Rockin’ Around Christmas Tree, and Deck the Halls on the bells. We look for patterns on the keyboard and find “D” for the Dog in the dog house made by the two black keys and “F” for the Frog on the low side of the three black keys.

We can improvise on the black keys, keep a steady beat, and listen and play short rhythms in unison. We can play short segments of JAWS, Star Wars, and Harry Potter themes. Tiger sits in a chair and listens when we do keyboard. The students greet Tiger when they come in. We play fetch, and each child gives him a treat.

 

Photograph of Tiger the dog perched on a blanket on a chair
photograph of students coloring in sheets of keyboard keys
photograph of a keyboard at lotus learning center