“Ask any child and they will tell you time after time that they would choose to be with an animal when they are sad or upset.” – the Peacock Foundation Founder, Lisa Peacock.

Imagine showing up at school and always feeling “different” or “out of place”.  This is how many of the at-risk youth who seek help at the Peacock Foundation feel.  Their lives are not “normal” and they don’t have anyone to talk to.  They often find themselves suicidal, depressed and aggressive.  This lonely and desperate place can sabotage their experience with school, family, and their future.  This is where The Peacock Foundation steps in.  Trained therapists and community animal teams bring smiles and compassion to young lives that need a little inspiration and care.  Sometimes all they need is someone to say, “You are worth my time.”  The eight-week program builds self-esteem, teaches these kids how to ask for help and deal with their emotions in a healthy way.  

When you purchase your Cozzee coffee you help towards reaching our goal of $400 to help four at-risk children receive animal therapy.  Join Cozzee and the Peacock Foundation in an effort to stop suicide, self-harm, depression, and aggression in our kids.  Help us give children something to care about, themselves.  Learn more in the video below.

The Peacock Foundation was started in 2002 as a Public Benefit Company.  Their mission is to support the provision of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) and activities (AAA) for at-risk youth by partnering with mental health practitioners, public service agencies, and community organizations.  Lisa Peacock was the driving force behind the creation and implementation of their animal assisted interventions.  She suffered the loss of her father at the age of 9 in the crash of Northwest Flight 255, but as a young child death did not make sense.  At her lowest points she would seek out the comfort of animals (horses, dogs, cats, rabbits).  In 1997, her world shattered when her mother was killed in a car accident.  At 19 she was an orphan that relied on friends and family to pick up the pieces of her life.  Never would she imagine that the key to her healing would again lie in the paws, beaks, and hooves of others.  She began working at the Phoenix Zoo in the fall of 1997, and has since professed this as the inspiration for The Peacock Foundation.
Since 2002, The Peacock Foundation has provided group counseling services to over 5000 children at over 20 community organizations.  The programs have been so sought after that there is now a waiting list.  For more information on The Peacock Foundation, go to: www.peacockfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/thepeacockfoundation

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal is incorporated as an integral part of the clinical healthcare treatment process. AAT is delivered or directed by a professional health or human service provider who demonstrates skill and expertise regarding the clinical applications of human-animal interactions.

The Peacock Foundation believes that animals are a safe way to connect with kids. It is proven that petting an animal can lower anxiety and reduce the biological reactions (heart rate, breathing, sweaty palms) that our bodies have when feeling fear or anxiety.

With the help of rescued animals from local organizations and private animal educators, MFT Interns help at-risk youth to learn what mental health care is, and how to advocate and access it for themselves or others.

Throughout the program the participants learn social skills, communication skills, and coping skills.

Creature/Comfort is designed to open up the minds and hearts of youth so they can have success and growth in their lives.