Ep 12. What happens when a mother turns a personal breakthrough into a movement that changes lives?
In this episode of our Start Up Nonprofit series on Passion Inspires, we sit down with Tosha, founder of Pawsitive Friendships, to hear how one unexpected moment with her son and their French bulldog, Zoe, sparked something extraordinary. After her son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in 2012, therapy felt overwhelming, and progress felt slow. But when Zoe became part of the process, everything changed. Challenging exercises turned into moments of joy, motivation, and real growth. That experience led Tosha to train Zoe as a therapy dog and eventually launch a nonprofit designed to help other families experience the same kind of breakthrough.
Today, Pawsitive Friendships serves thousands of children and adults through intentional animal-assisted programs. Dogs, pigs, horses, and other animals help participants build confidence, develop motor skills, and reconnect with learning in ways that feel safe and encouraging.
In this conversation, you’ll hear the heart behind the mission, the realities of building a nonprofit from the ground up, and why animals often unlock progress where traditional approaches fall short. Tosha also shares her dream of creating a dedicated farm where even more individuals can experience healing, growth, and belonging.
If you love stories about purpose, innovation, and the powerful bond between humans and animals, this episode will leave you inspired.
