Organizational Background

Therapy Dogs of America was founded in 1997 under the name All for Animals, with a mission centered on the human–animal bond and the therapeutic benefits of animal-assisted interventions. In 2018, the organization transitioned to Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara, reflecting a more focused regional identity and programmatic direction.

By 2023, the organization faced a critical inflection point. The founder expressed a desire to step down and had begun planning to close the organization due to capacity constraints, limited infrastructure, and sustainability concerns

Leadership Transition

Carey Bradshaw joined the organization in 2014 as a volunteer therapy dog handler and later became a member of the Board of Directors. With deep institutional knowledge and a long-standing commitment to the mission, Carey stepped forward in 2023 to serve as Interim Executive Director, reporting directly to the Board of Directors.

At the time of the leadership transition:

• The organization operated with 14 volunteer therapy dog teams
• There was one part-time Marketing and Development Coordinator
• Systems were largely analog, including:
  • No online banking
  • QuickBooks Desktop
  • Excel spreadsheets tracking all volunteer activity
  • No CRM or donor management system

Initial Assessment and Strategic Goals

Upon assuming the Executive Director role, Carey identified three immediate priorities:

1. Establish sustainable organizational structure
2. Enable responsible growth
3. Build brand recognition and credibility

The organization required modernization across operations, finance, programming, and community engagement in order to survive and scale.

Operational and Infrastructure Transformation

Carey led a comprehensive modernization of systems and processes, including:

• Transitioning the organization to online banking
• Migrating from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
• Implementing an online event and volunteer management platform to replace manual tracking
• Researching and selecting new insurance policies appropriate for expanded programming
• Strengthening financial oversight by securing a new CPA and appointing a dedicated Board Treasurer

These changes established operational transparency, scalability, and fiscal responsibility.

Program Development and Expansion

Carey partnered closely with the organization’s therapy dog trainer to create a strong pipeline for recruiting and training future volunteer teams, ensuring quality and consistency as the organization grew.

Through extensive community outreach and relationship-building, Carey:

• Attended local events to raise awareness and educate the public
• Developed a community partnership program to generate ongoing donations
• Created and launched new programs, including:
  • Santa Barbara County Jail inmate program
  • Santa Barbara Airport program
  • Home hospice visits
  • Assisted living facility visits
  • Elementary school partnerships

Carey also researched, competed for, and won a contract with Ventura County Behavioral Health to provide therapy dog services for outpatient mental health groups—marking a major milestone in earned revenue and regional expansion.

Governance, Contracts, and Risk Management

As the organization expanded into schools and government partnerships, Carey:

• Drafted and negotiated Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with multiple school districts
• Established standardized agreements to mitigate risk and clarify expectations
• Implemented donation structures designed to ensure long-term program sustainability

Team Development and Coaching

Carey coached the part-time Marketing and Development Coordinator to operate at a more professional level, including:

• Improving external communications
• Managing a consistent and credible social media presence
• Pursuing larger and more competitive grant opportunities

To support the founder’s expertise and legacy, Carey created a new role—Part-time Director of Wellness Programs—enabling the founder to oversee and grow the Wag Well Mindfulness business as a complementary offering.

Growth, Rebranding, and Impact

Under Carey’s leadership:

• The volunteer therapy dog team grew from 14 to 60 teams
• Programming expanded beyond Santa Barbara County
• The organization rebranded from Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara to Therapy Dogs of America, reflecting its broader geographic reach and national aspirations

Outcomes and Leadership Impact

Carey Bradshaw’s executive leadership stabilized an organization on the brink of closure and transformed it into a scalable, mission-driven nonprofit with modern systems, diversified revenue, expanded programming, and a growing volunteer base. The case demonstrates strengths in:

• Change management
• Nonprofit operations and finance
• Community partnership development
• Team leadership and coaching
• Strategic growth and brand evolution

This transformation positioned Therapy Dogs of America for long-term sustainability and national impact.

Leadership Reflection

Stepping into executive leadership at a moment of organizational fragility required adaptive leadership grounded in stewardship, decisiveness, and trust-building. With the organization facing closure, I focused first on stabilizing core systems—finance, governance, and operations—while honoring the mission and legacy established over decades. This work required balancing empathy for long-standing stakeholders with the courage to make structural changes quickly. By prioritizing clarity, accountability, and transparent decision-making, I was able to align the Board, staff, volunteers, and community partners around a shared vision for sustainability and growth.

As the organization stabilized, my leadership emphasis shifted toward scale and impact. I invested heavily in people—coaching staff, developing volunteers, and empowering the founder in a redefined role—while simultaneously expanding programs, partnerships, and earned revenue opportunities. This experience reinforced my belief that effective executive leadership is not about preservation alone, but about transformation with integrity. Guiding Therapy Dogs of America from the brink of closure to a nationally positioned organization deepened my commitment to values-driven leadership, systems thinking, and building organizations that can endure beyond any single leader.