Lisa Bain: Supporting People through Hardship

The impact that animals can have in the therapy/recovery process of individuals has been proven significant. With National Pet Therapy Day on April 30, we want to share a little about one person who knows about the benefits of animal therapy firsthand. Lisa Bain is the Founder of Lisa Bain Ministries, a local nonprofit organization that assists people during their time of need. Pet therapy is one of Lisa’s many tools.

TK: Share the mission of your organization.

Lisa: At Lisa Bain Ministries, our mission is “delivering hope and tangible support to those who are facing illness, a special need or a crisis situation.”  It is about care, connection and community.

TK: What are some ways that you deliver hope and tangible support?

Lisa: We give this tangible support through the delivery of personalized care boxes and bags designed specifically for each recipient, referred to as resilience care boxes. These tangible expressions of support serve as a guiding presence for individuals navigating challenging circumstances. Our projects cater to diverse groups, including those dealing with illnesses, veterans, Gold Star families, individuals facing homelessness, and first responders aiding children in crisis situations.

During many of these visits, our therapy dog ambassadors – Mabel Joy, Maddie Grace and Moose – accompany us. We incorporate the two, and it is the perfect combination! Collaborating with various animal organizations introduces a range of therapy animals, from pigs and llamas to horses and rabbits, enhancing the overall experience with an additional level of comfort and joy.

TK: What have you seen as a result of incorporating therapy animals in these visits?

Lisa: Remarkable transformations unfold when therapy animals become part of the equation. Our therapy animals have played pivotal roles, aiding children in overcoming reading challenges, alleviating anxiety, providing comfort during chemotherapy sessions, and offering comfort to hospice patients and their families in times of great difficulty.

Additionally, we bring many of these animals to visit children with special needs, where the infectious laughter and shared joy create heartwarming moments for all involved. Our visits to nursing homes are filled with joy as we witness the vibrant spirits of our seniors who come alive during their interactions with our animals. Therapy animals are simply game changers! The stories are endless, but the bottom line is that the comfort these animals bring to the situation is indescribable.

TK: Talk about the stuffed animals that the police can give to children.

Lisa: We started receiving requests from first responders who expressed the need for bags containing practical items to accompany them when responding to children in crisis situations. These encounters are often traumatic for the children involved, but the items in our bags aim to provide comfort, a sense of safety and hope. Our bags include an activity resilience book, Mabel and Maddie coloring books, Mabel’s new children’s book, puzzles, a stuffed Mabel pup, sensory items, bubbles and gel balls, hygiene items, activity pads with games, cards, a T-shirt, snacks, a small blanket and socks.

TK: How do these bags benefit the kids who receive them?

Lisa: These carefully curated bags not only benefit the children in crisis but also offer support to the first responders. Many of the first responders have said these bags have been their game changer when they are called to help children in what, to some, may be the worst day of their life. What were very frantic and volatile moments with many tears immediately turned to laughter and joy when they received their backpack filled with comfort items. The stuffed Mabel Joy pup in the bag is a favorite.

Stuffed Mabel Joy pups are the calling card of Lisa Bain Ministries and are included in every resilience care box and bag we deliver. They are snuggly and soft, and the clothing and bandanas on the pups are handmade by our volunteers. This little pup is a reminder that the child is never alone when they walk through a broken place, and a symbol that someone cares.

TK: Why do you think therapy pets are so beneficial?

Lisa: Therapy pets offer endless love and unconditional acceptance, providing an indescribable comfort. Many individuals hold a cherished story of a special animal that supported them through challenging times, bringing back positive memories. For nursing facility residents who had to leave their own pets behind, the affection from a therapy animal becomes a source of comfort, helping them cope with the heartbreak of that separation. Animals serve as a joyful refuge for people, creating a nonjudgmental and accepting space.

TK: Tell us more about Mabel, Maddie and Moose. Who are your partners for expanded pet therapy?

Lisa: We are passionate about animals and animal therapy, so our hearts and house are full here at the Bain home, also known as the Bain Barn. Our family welcomed Mabel Joy in 2020. She is a Bernese Mountain dog with a huge purpose. Her name means “beautiful and loving,” and she lives up to that every day. About nine months later we welcomed Maddie Grace, named after some very special angels in our lives. And on July 4 of 2023 we welcomed Moose!

The three musketeers are all Bernese Mountain dogs. All are involved in therapy work. They are big dogs with a very big cause! Mavis Pearl left big paws to fill. We are thankful Mabel Joy had the opportunity to have Mavis Pearl as a teacher. She carries on the legacy with Lisa Bain Ministries.

We take great delight in our collaborations with other therapy animal organizations. Imagine the joy of a visit not only from Mabel, Maddie and Moose but also Creek the duck or Hamilton the pig or Dorito the llama? Our partnerships with American Therapeutic Riding Center, Funtastic Farms and Little Bitty Acres Mobile Petting Zoo, among others, continue to grow.

By joining forces, we bring our therapy animals to nursing homes, special needs children, schools, homes, veteran centers and beyond. It’s a privilege to stand alongside these nonprofits that contribute significantly to our community, collectively spreading the joy and comfort that therapy animals provide.

TK: What prompted you to write the children’s book, Mabel and the Big Paws?

Lisa: Writing a children’s book was always a dream of mine. I also wanted to share the story of how Mabel learned to become a therapy dog and, in doing so, I found a source of closure in the loss of Mavis Pearl. While the page with Mavis Pearl crossing over the rainbow bridge still brings tears, I also witness the incredible legacy she left behind, especially in her significant role in training Mabel Joy. Mabel Joy had big paws to fill, but Mavis Pearl trained her well. The journey of therapy animals has been a profound passion of mine, and I am grateful for the opportunity to finally share this story through a children’s book.

TK: You’ve had more than your fair share of setbacks and struggles. What advice do you have for others going through a difficult time?

Lisa: When my mom and I both faced a challenging diagnosis, her immediate response was, “Let’s go treasure hunting!” She believed that there is always a treasure to be found if you look for it, no matter how dark, emphasizing that what you see is determined by what you are looking for.

This perspective led to the birth of Lisa Bain Ministries, emerging from a backdrop of cancer and autoimmune diagnosis. We defied the odds, witnessing miracles, often found in the small moments rather than the grand ones. Celebrating those small victories, being present and savoring seconds became crucial. Choosing joy on tough days may be difficult, but it is consistently the right choice.

I’ve learned that setbacks and struggles have made me stronger, wiser and better. They taught me to love more deeply, forgive more robustly and appreciate the fleeting seconds of life. I often use the illustration of the Japanese art form kintsugi, where broken pottery is intentionally mended with gold. In this technique, the broken places are celebrated as symbols of beauty and strength. Through our brokenness, we can emerge better and stronger.

TK: How can people get involved in your organization?

Lisa: Visit our website at lisabain.com or connect with me via email at lisa@lisabain.com—I’d be thrilled to hear from you! Our diverse team of volunteers spans ages 2 to 101, and we cherish every contribution, whether through financial support or your valuable time.

TK: What about kids and families getting involved?

Lisa: We absolutely love collaborating with students and families. The possibilities are endless, and we’ve witnessed creative ways in which families come together to raise funds for Lisa Bain Ministries. As my mom used to say, “Giving equals Joy, Joy equals Hope, and Hope equals Healing!” Serving together is a healing experience. Whether you’re part of a school or church group, a family or an individual, there are numerous ways to get involved and make a positive impact.

TK: What are your needs?

Lisa: We deeply appreciate financial support, and we also welcome donations of items that aid us in creating our care boxes. Check out our Amazon wish list for essential backpack items, as well as those needed for our care boxes. We are also in need of a donated storage facility for our growing inventory for care boxes and bags. Additionally, we hold incredible appreciation for our dedicated volunteers!

To learn more about how Lisa Bain uses animal therapy, check out: LisaBain.com/mabel. To purchase a copy of Mabel and the Big Paws, visit lisabain.com

Listen to a visit with Lisa Bain on the Sharing Passion and Purpose Podcast (SharingPassionandPurpose.com) as she shares more about the reason for starting Lisa Bain Ministries.

Nancy A. Moore is a Public Relations Coordinator at Montreau, Adjunct Professor at Tulsa Community College, and has been writing for TulsaKids for almost 20 years.