Bella saved my life.

After nearly a decade of relapse, one doctor told me I was chronic—that I'd live with my eating disorder forever. I believed him.

Then came Bella, an eight-week-old Terrier puppy who helped my nervous system settle for the first time in years. She taught me what animals do best: they see us, not our diagnoses. And in that nonjudgmental presence, healing becomes possible.

After fifteen years together, Bella passed away on October 1st. This is my first holiday season without her, and I'm committed to continuing her legacy through SoulPaws Recovery Project.

We bring evidence-informed, animal-assisted healing to people recovering from eating and other regulatory disorders—free of charge.

What We Do

SoulPaws Healing Circles bring therapy animals, peers, and trained clinicians together to help people recovering from eating and other regulatory disorders.

Our approach follows the Calm • Connect • Heal framework, grounded in neuroscience and trauma-aware care:

CALM – Regulate the nervous system
CONNECT – Build authentic, nonjudgmental relationships
HEAL – Access the brain functions needed for recovery

We provide:

Community Healing Circles – Free sessions for anyone in recovery
Treatment Center Partnerships – On-site programs integrated into patient care
Clinician Training – Specialized training in animal-assisted interventions

Your Matched Gift Brings Healing

Every dollar you give is DOUBLED through December 31st.

Each Healing Circle costs about $400 and serves up to 20 people—free of charge.

Your matched gift helps us:
✓ Provide more free Healing Circles
✓ Train more clinicians in trauma-informed care
✓ Reach more communities that desperately need this work

Suggested giving levels:

$25 (becomes $50) → Helps bring someone to a Healing Circle
$100 (becomes $200) → Supports clinician training
$200 (becomes $400) → Sponsors one Healing Circle for 20 people

Why It Matters

Every 52 minutes, someone dies from an eating disorder. Your gift helps someone choose recovery instead.

Animals help restore regulation, reduce anxiety, and rebuild self-trust—core elements of sustainable recovery.

Healing is possible. Recovery is real. Animals help.

Thank you so much for helping me continue Bella's legacy.

Shannon Kopp
Founder & Executive Director

💙 Your tax-deductible gift will be matched through December 31st.

SoulPaws Recovery Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your donation is 100% tax-deductible. EIN: 81-3660206

SoulPaws Save Lives

Your Gift Today Will Be DOUBLED!