Dear Nancy and Megan (Dog-Harmony),
Thank you for taking your time to teach us about “Pet Care.” We will use what you taught us to be responsible pet owners and take good care of our furry loved ones. We are forever grateful!
Sincerely,
Seaside Neighborhood School
“Pet Care Mentoring”
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.
###
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).
Miramar Beach, Fla. – Dog-Harmony is proud to announce the launch of its new program, Paw Pantry, designed to support local families and their beloved canine family members. This initiative, an expansion of the non-profit’s “Keeping Dogs in Homes” program, will ensure that no family has to make the difficult choice between feeding themselves or feeding their dog.
In partnership with Caring & Sharing of South Walton, Paw Pantry will initially serve 15 families, with plans to expand as the program grows. “We currently serve an average of 850 local families each month,” says Caring & Sharing Case Manager Dani Aylsworth. “We are paw-sitive there will be room to grow with the Paw Pantry partnership.”
The Paw Pantry collaboration supports Dog-Harmony’s mission of preventing shelter surrenders by addressing a key barrier to pet ownership: access to pet food. Dog-Harmony will collect donations of pet food and distribute them through partners, like Caring & Sharing, to areas where they are needed most. This way, every bowl can be filled, helping to ensure dogs remain in their loving family homes.
Dog-Harmony Founder Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, says, “We are thrilled to establish the Paw Pantry partnership with Caring & Sharing of South Walton. By providing dog food assistance to families in need, we prevent beloved family dogs from being surrendered to already overwhelmed and overcrowded animal shelters in our communities.”
In the past three years, Dog-Harmony has distributed more than 10,000 pounds of dog food to families in need. With Paw Pantry, the non-profit is building on that success and establishing new donation drop-off points across the community to make it even easier to give.
Community members can drop off unopened dry dog food at one of Dog-Harmony’s trusted community partner locations below:
Paw Pantry wouldn’t be possible without the support of the compassionate veterinary partners in our community. The generosity of Kindness Pet Hospital, Capital Veterinary Specialists, and Emerald Shores Pet Hospital Resort and Spaw has already helped Dog-Harmony fill bowls and keep tails wagging.
Your financial contribution has the most significant impact. By donating, you enable Dog-Harmony to purchase food in bulk at discounted prices, stretch every dollar further, and respond quickly to families in urgent need. Monetary donations also help us keep Dog-Harmony’s partners like Caring & Sharing of South Walton from being inundated with excess supplies. A $25 donation can feed a dog for two weeks, while $100 can support an entire family’s pets for a month.
If you’d prefer to give food directly, Dog-Harmony welcomes donations of unopened bags of dry dog food at its drop-off locations in Destin (The Doggy Bag and Salty Paws Pet Boutique and Barkery) and Miramar Beach (Barry Veterinary Hospital).
You may also shop using Dog-Harmony’s Amazon Paw Pantry wish list to send dog food donations directly.
Not everyone is able to donate, but everyone can make a difference. Help Dog-Harmony reach more families and keep more dogs in loving homes by sharing the news about the Paw Pantry launch with your friends, neighbors, and local businesses. You can also stay updated on the nonprofit’s news by following their accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or by signing up for their Paw Print Press newsletter.
###
About Dog-Harmony: Dog-Harmony is a non-profit 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 Caring & Sharing of South Walton: Founded in 1994, Caring & Sharing of South Walton is a 501(c)3 that provides crisis relief to our neighbors in need through financial assistance, food, counseling, and case management.
Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. – Dog-Harmony, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the shelter population through community education and therapy dog programs, is excited to announce its tenth anniversary this month. To celebrate, the organization is launching its “Love in Focus” calendar photo contest.
For a decade, Dog-Harmony has provided unconditional love and support to local communities by providing humane education for kinder animal treatment, deploying therapy dog teams and offering resources to keep dogs in homes. This milestone highlights the unwavering support from the community and the dedication of volunteers and staff.
The “Love in Focus” contest, running from June 15 to July 15, 2025, invites dog owners nationwide to submit a photo of their dog with a $10 donation. Each $10 donation also counts as one vote. Supporters can vote for their favorite canine contestants as many times as they want, and a free calendar is included with every single $100 donation.
The 12 entries with the most votes will receive a professional photo shoot from Wooftografie for Dog-Harmony’s exclusive 2026 calendar. All proceeds directly benefit Dog-Harmony’s mission to support humane education and wellness visits by volunteer therapy dog teams.
“Reaching this 10-year milestone is a source of immense pride,” says Nancy Bown, Founder of Dog-Harmony. “The ‘Love in Focus’ contest is a fantastic way to celebrate the joy dogs bring and is a crucial fundraiser that enables us to continue our vital work.”
Dog-Harmony is also seeking calendar sponsors; a sponsorship packet is available at Dog-Harmony.org/love-in-focus-
To enter your dog or cast your vote, visit gogophotocontest.com/dog-
###
Founded in 2015 by professional dog trainer Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, Dog-Harmony is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational charity committed to improving the human-dog bond through community-based programs. From classroom education and therapy dog visits to hospital and youth facility outreach, Dog-Harmony helps dogs rescue people. With a focus on empathy, understanding, and responsible pet care, our evolving programs address the most pressing needs in our community. Dog-Harmony relies entirely on donations, grants, and the dedication of volunteers to continue this life-changing work.
Click the image below to read Kay’s story of Tiger’s rescue and therapy dog certification with Dog-Harmony!
A Poem by Laurie Cushner
It’s mayhem in the morning after a three-dog night
with Midge and Tess and Katy asleep, all curled up tight.
But in the early morning, an hour after the break of dawn
there comes a shake of the ears, a wag of the tail, and then a yawn.
And suddenly three furry doggies surround me on the bed
as they playfully give warm kisses telling me it’s time to be fed.
Oh, it’s mayhem in the morning and it’s breakfast feeding time.
Three eager “pups” sit side by side like partners in crime.
Then they dance around their dish and gobble up their kibble.
They eat as fast as they can, why bother to nibble.
The day is young and they want to have fun –
they’re always in the moment -wanting to seize the day.
“Hey” their tails say, “it’s time to go hike and play.”
Oh yes, it’s mayhem in the morning as they pile in the SUV
wagging tails, happy faces, panting in harmony.
They give a little nudge to the driver to “hurry up the show”.
Obviously, they think I’m driving much too slow.
When I stop to park, they all announce their arrival
by sounding like a canine spiritual revival.
Then they run, they sniff, they meet and greet and they play.
Occasionally, they turn their heads and smile as if to say,
“Hey, for a human non-furry creature, you’re really quite okay”.
Oh, the mayhem in the morning – I wouldn’t change a thing
because these happy souls are the yin, the yang and the zing.
At nighttime, they all snuggle, cozy warm in their doggie beds
Dreaming about chasing squirrels and critters and a fox so red.
And when they awake from this dream-filled, adventurous place
they’re ready to impart unconditional love on the human race
With warm canine kisses, playful nips, and a smiling face
…they show us how to love life with nonstop embrace.