This one’s going to tug on your heart.
In today’s episode, I’m talking with Amy Theisen Walz—dog lover, mental health advocate, and founder of You’re Not Alone;, a nonprofit that brings therapy dogs into schools to support students struggling with anxiety, depression, bullying, and so much more.
Amy shares the raw and real story of how her family’s experience with mental illness led her to say yes to something simple and sacred: showing up with a therapy dog named Willow Grace. That yes turned into a movement—one that’s making kids feel seen and safe, right in the middle of their hardest moments.
This conversation is full of purpose, heart, and hope—and it’s a reminder that God can use anything, even our pain, to bring healing to others.
In This Episode:
The backstory behind You’re Not Alone; and the pup that started it all
What actually happens when a therapy dog walks into a school
Amy’s honest take on parenting through mental health struggles
Why she believes God created her for this mission
How faith fuels her boldness—and her tenderness
What you can do to support her work (and get a special gift)
About Amy:
Amy Theisen Walz is the founder of You’re Not Alone;, a nonprofit using therapy dogs to support students facing mental health challenges. She’s also an aspiring author, speaker, and passionate advocate for breaking the stigma around mental illness. She lives in Monticello with her husband Nick, her beloved therapy pups Willow Grace and Spirit of Hope, and has more grand-paws than grandkids (which she’s very proud of).
Special Gift + Next Step:
Want to learn more and get a special gift from Amy? Head to:👉 https://forms.gle/QVE6i75DNvsX6ovq9
Email Amy at: Amy.ynausa@gmail.com
Quotable:
“God doesn’t waste pain. He’ll use it to unlock healing in someone else.”
“We don’t need to fix people—we need to be present. That’s what the dogs do.”
“This is what I was made for. To go where the pain is, and bring a little hope with fur on it.”
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