When SOUND clinician Marlene Andrews began volunteering at the Sammamish Animal Sanctuary, she noticed something unexpected. The animals, many of them rescued or recovering from neglect, required patience and consistency to build trust – much like the people she supported in her work at SOUND Behavioral Health.  

That realization planted the seed for what would become SOUND’s Animal Sanctuary program. In partnership with the Sammamish Animal Sanctuary, SOUND’s program is now a thriving part of the organization’s Child and Family Services offerings. As Marlene explains, she wanted to nurture a space where clients could feel grounded and safe; somewhere they could build confidence simply by showing up, caring for the animals, and connecting at their own pace.

What started as a personal volunteer experience soon evolved into a group therapy opportunity designed to help clients facing challenges like trauma, depression, anxiety, and more. Joined by fellow SOUND counselor Andrea Dickstein, the program began modestly, with a few participants joining the clinician for sessions at the sanctuary. Over time, it grew into a regular Tuesday afternoon group – one that has just recently marked its one-year anniversary, thanks to the generous support of IMA Financial Group, and is now a year-round offering to SOUND clients.  

Each week, more than a dozen participants gather at the farm, check in with the barn manager, and choose from a variety of hands-on tasks. Some brush the goats or feed the rabbits; others tidy stalls, sweep pathways, or just spend time bringing more reserved animals out of their shell. Everyone contributes in their own way. The focus is on participation, connection, and the quiet sense of pride that comes from caring for living things.

For many clients, those afternoons have become a source of grounding and purpose. Children, teens, and adults who might otherwise struggle to engage in traditional settings are finding confidence and peace through their time with the animals. One young boy who often withdrew in therapy found himself fully immersed at the sanctuary, brainstorming ways to help a three-legged goat move around easier and openly sharing stories about his family, something he’d previously struggled with. Another client who had previously only attended telehealth sessions due to extreme anxiety began coming each week in person, connecting with other volunteers and taking on new responsibilities – a feat she never thought possible before joining the program.  

The impact reaches far beyond the farm. As several participants shared recently, they feel more confident, capable, and calm – not only in their interactions with animals but also in their daily lives:

“I feel a sense of peace when I spend time with the animals at the farm,” one SOUND client shared. “It leaves me feeling accomplished and good about myself — that I was able to help the animals while, in a way, helping myself.”

“This program has made me a better version of myself,” another wrote. “It’s given me confidence, a reason to get up and ready for the day, and a reminder to appreciate the little things I have going for me.”

What began as a simple idea has grown into something remarkable: a program that brings together healing, empathy, and purpose in a place where both people and animals can feel safe and seen. As the Animal Sanctuary program continues to evolve, SOUND aims to keep building on this sense of connection, offering more opportunities for families, children, and individuals to experience the powerful calm that comes from caring for others, one small act at a time. Marlene and Andrea often reflect on just how meaningful the growth has been, sharing that watching clients flourish at the sanctuary has been “one of the greatest joys of this work.”

To learn more about SOUND’s Child and Family Services, visit this link.  

To learn more about the Sammamish Animal Sanctuary, visit sammamishanimalsanctuary.org.  

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