Therapy Dogs Offer Joyful Relief at The Salvation Army Booth Program in Boise
Lorraine Arbetter
Divisional Director of Corporate Engagement @ The Salvation Army | Fundraising
“‘Dog Day’ is the highlight of our month,” said Kim Kelzer, Social Worker and Program Coordinator for The Salvation Army Boise (Idaho) Corps’ Booth Program for Young Parents.
Every third Wednesday, GO TEAM Therapy Dogs and their handlers visit Cardinal Academy, a charter high school for pregnant and parenting teens located on The Salvation Army’s Boise campus. The Booth Program, which provides comprehensive support services to students, coordinates these visits, which are now in their fourth year.
Kelzer explained that students and staff eagerly anticipate the visits.
“Being in school is stressful; being a teen parent adds even more pressure. Together, it’s a lot to manage,” she said. “The visits help everyone unwind. It’s a great way to de-stress and refocus.”
GO TEAM Therapy Dogs is a non-profit organization that trains teams of handlers and dogs to offer comfort in settings such as hospitals, schools, and crisis zones. Each team undergoes rigorous training, including the AKC-approved Good Canine Citizenship test.
GO TEAM began in 2012 following the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs with just two teams. Since then, more than 1,000 teams have been trained, and the organization now serves communities across the United States and internationally.
“There’s nothing more grounding than being on the floor with a dog, petting them and feeling that connection,” said handler Brenda Mallindine.
Southern Idaho Coordinator and Boise Corps Administrator Major Premek Kramerius shared that the therapy dogs contribute significantly to the overall well-being of Booth Program participants.
“The partnership with GO TEAM Idaho helps our students feel better, reducing stress and improving emotional and communication skills,” he said.
Research from the National Institutes of Health supports this, showing that brief, unstructured interactions with therapy dogs can significantly reduce anxiety and stress. Dogs provide both a comforting, non-judgmental presence and a positive sensory distraction.
On Dog Day, about six therapy dogs and their handlers visit for about an hour. Regular teams, like Brenda Mallindine and her dog Buster, a 5-year-old Bouvier des Flandres/Bernedoodle mix, return month after month.
Over the years, Mallindine and Buster have seen students graduate and babies grow into toddlers.
“Everyone from GO TEAM loves going to Cardinal Academy,” Mallindine said. “We interact with the babies, the students, and the staff—it’s a place that holds a lot of significance for many of these young families. They’re navigating parenthood so early, and we’re here to support them in any way we can.”
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During holiday visits in December, therapy dog teams bring baby supplies like diapers and wipes. In October, the dogs even dress up in Halloween costumes.
Mallindine relishes seeing the deep connections students make with the dogs.
“I remember high school—the stress of figuring out who you are and what you want to be,” she reflected. “There’s nothing more grounding than being with the dog, petting them, and just feeling that bond. It helps put everything into perspective.”
For DJ, a student and father, the dogs help reduce anxiety. “It also helps my daughter get used to being around dogs,” he said.
And DJ isn’t alone—students often share the experience with their children.
“I love having family time when the dogs are here,” said Bryleigh, a student and mother.
Students and staff also collect the dogs’ trading cards—Kelzer has more than 40 displayed in her office. Each card features the dog’s photo, breed, birthdate, and favorite activities.
During the visits, students move from dog to dog, interacting with the dogs and their handlers.
“They sit with the dogs and also talk with the handlers,” Kelzer said. “It’s not just about the dogs. It’s about building relationships. For our students, this place is safe, and for some, home may not always be. This is one more layer of community.”
Mallindine enjoys watching how students form these connections.
“They’ll put their faces right up to the dogs’ faces,” she said. “They’ll lie down with them, having those peaceful moments. It’s truly amazing to witness.”