Meet 15-year-old Marley, who wanted to help spread the word about the positive impact pets can have on our mental health. “Pets can reduce their owner's stress, anxiety and depression. Pets can fend off loneliness and help increase social interactions, improve confidence, and increase physical activity,” said Marley.

With her Peer Project Grant award, Marley bought baskets, pet toys, and snacks. She assembled 20 adoption gift baskets for new pet owners and brought them to her local animal shelter. Along with these beautiful and creative “Congratulations!” baskets, she included an FAQ sheet that highlights the powerful role pets can have on pet owners’ mental health. 

In her conversations, Marley learned that people enjoy talking about the bonds they form with their pets, and that helped to start conversations about kindness, compassion and support.

Marley believes the FAQ sheets were so important, and will distribute another round of these baskets in the future to another local shelter.