Non-Profits Uniting to Help Families in Crisis: Our Journey with Tatum
Our journey to welcome Tatum, Home for Families’ first-ever Facility Dog, began amidst heartbreak. In June 2022, a devastating house fire claimed four lives, including three long-time participants of our Dowd Education Programs. The tragedy left a profound impact on our staff and the community.
In the wake of this tragedy, a staff member reached out to Canine Companions - North Central Region, an organization renowned for providing service dogs for people with disabilities, and facility dogs that offer therapeutic support in a variety of settings. Their compassionate response brought a team of trainers and specially-trained dogs to our organization, providing much-needed comfort and stress relief to children, staff, and adults grappling with the aftermath of loss.
Since that moment, Canine Companions has integrated into our out-of-school time community programming. There have been puppy-raising classes alongside our Afterschool and Summer Achievers programs, allowing children to interact with puppies in various stages of training. This initiative not only fosters skill development for children and puppies-in-training alike, but also helps demystify interactions with animals, nurturing comfort and confidence in our youth.
Turning Tragedy into Opportunity
Canine Companions Facility Dogs have touched the lives of over 5 million people across the country. Recognizing the potential for a facility dog to make a difference for families experiencing the trauma of a housing crisis and housing insecurity, Home for Families seized the opportunity to innovate our trauma-informed care practices. In early 2024, we submitted an application for a facility dog, outlining our commitment to responsible, trauma-informed care of the families and youths we serve.
It wasn’t long before our primary and secondary handlers received the exciting news: a perfect match for our organization had been found. After an intensive week of training that included learning commands, bonding activities, and field trips, we joyfully welcomed Tatum into the Home for Families family. With the addition of Tatum, HFF becomes the FIRST family housing organization in Ohio, and one of only a select few in the entire country, to use a Canine Companions Facility Dog in the practice of alleviating the trauma and stress for clients experiencing a housing crisis.
Welcome Home, Tatum
Tatum, a 2.5-year-old lab/golden retriever mix, is a gentle soul weighing 50 pounds. Her calm demeanor and loving nature make her the ideal companion for those experiencing housing distress. Tatum’s role is to provide therapeutic comfort and support to our housing clients and their children, offering anxiety relief, motivation, and unconditional love.
Home for Families is committed to creating better housing outcomes for the families we serve who are experiencing crisis. As Tatum grows more comfortable in her role, we envision that she will engage with all levels of our programming, including our various housing programs, SPARK, and Dowd Education programs. We are confident that Tatum will play a vital role in enhancing the well-being of the families and youths we serve.
A Community Effort
The realization of Tatum’s journey to Home for Families was truly a community effort. From the dedicated trainers at Canine Companions and the volunteer puppy raiser who nurtured her at her collegiate puppy raiser club, to the Crane Group for their generous support to make the match happen, to our leadership team’s innovative vision, and especially to the two dedicated HFF staff members who opened their hearts, personal and professional lives to ensure Tatum's success—everyone played a part in making this dream a reality.
Welcome home, Tatum. Your journey with us is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see the joy you bring to our community.
