Reef’s Report: Healing Den To Help Victims Of Sexual Violence Through New Partnership

This article was orginally published on May 15,2025, Keys Weekly.

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Hi friends! Reef the Fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.”

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Today, I’m reporting from a place of real pride. I, Reef the fox, am here to tell you about something big. Pawsitive Beginnings has officially partnered with Christina’s Courage, an incredible organization in Monroe County that supports survivors of sexual violence. Their work is rooted in trauma-informed advocacy, forensic services and community education.

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These are the humans who show up when others don’t, and they make sure survivors are heard, believed and empowered. Sound familiar? Yeah, our missions were destined to align.

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Beginning June 1, the therapist at Christina’s Courage will be using our Human-Animal Alliance Healing Den, the quiet, safe space where humans can exhale, reconnect and feel something good again. And Nicole Navarro (my human) will also be heading down to Key West on a monthly basis to meet survivors right where they are. That’s what healing looks like: flexibility, community and connection.

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“This collaboration brings the powerful benefits of animal-assisted therapy to our clients, offering comfort, connection and emotional healing in a safe and nurturing environment,” said Anne Elliott, mental health counselor at Christina’s Courage. “Beginning in June, we will work closely with Pawsitive Beginnings founder Nicole Navarro and her foxes on a monthly basis, creating meaningful opportunities for survivors to experience therapeutic interactions that support their recovery journeys.”

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Here’s what I know: when someone who’s been through hell walks into a space and locks eyes with a creature who’s also lived through trauma, they both get it. No words needed. That’s the kind of unspoken truth that makes this partnership so powerful.

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At Pawsitive Beginnings, we’ve always said healing can come from the most unlikely of places — foxes. Now we’re proud to say it’s also got more backup, from some of the most compassionate and dedicated humans we’ve ever met.

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So yeah, maybe I’m not being snarky today. Maybe I’m just … proud of us, Christina’s Courage and survivors who show up even when it’s hard. This is more than therapy. It’s transformational, and we’re honored to be part of it.

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That’s all for this week. Until next time, Reef, over and out!