Brandon, Age 18
Throughout my life I have had to deal with many hard times, my mother dying, a father who abandoned my sisters and me, teased by others to the point of mental breakdown. Al these factors contributed to who I used to be. Six years ago I had never attempted, but contemplated suicide on many occasions. Through much encouragement, and knowing I needed help, I started going to Touchstone Health Partners. At first it didn’t help much, but then I met the counselor that really set me back on the path and made me feel like living again. By far my favorite counselor, Cliff.
Cliff taught me better ways to deal with my sadness, anger, and hurt that I had to deal with in my life. Cliff was more of a friend then a psychologist to me. Then Cliff brought me into the program he started, The Animal Assisted Therapy Program. That’s where I met a good friend, Jake (dog).
When I first met Jake he was just about as shy as I was, but through the program we both became a lot more social. Take Jake example; before we met he would never greet people he didn’t know. Now he is always ready and excited to meet someone new.
Me? I still have a little ways to go, but I can walk into a new place without hyperventilating now. Through the people I have met via Touchstone, I have become a much more stable person. And now I can live my life to the fullest, Thanks to all the help, time, and effort that was given to me by these people.
