Our Mission
At Chuck's Pups, our mission is to empower children through the transformative power of animal-assisted interventions (AAI). We provide customized therapy and service dog programs designed to meet each child’s unique emotional, social, and academic needs. By integrating social-emotional learning and evidence-based practices, we go beyond traditional therapy dog interactions to create meaningful, measurable outcomes that help children grow, heal, and thrive. Through the special bond between children and dogs, we aim to foster resilience, confidence, and a brighter future for every child we serve.
Why Choose Us?
Our combined expertise in education, dog training, and AAI allows us to create effective, evidence-based programs.
We are deeply passionate about our work and dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of students.
We design our interventions to align with the specific goals and needs of each school, ensuring maximum impact.
We maintain rigorous standards in all our practices, ensuring safety, effectiveness, and ethical integrity.
Our Story
In April of 2020, our family lost our rock, our father, Danny O'Keefe to Covid. Chuck's Pups was created in his memory to support children through service and therapy dog work. We aim to forever change the lives of the children involved, addressing their needs through animal interventions and service dog support while honoring our dad at the same time.
It is our belief that tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength. This is a trait he instilled in all of us. Creating this foundation gives us the strength to do the impossible, to live in this world without him while changing the lives of children through the magic of the bond between a child and a dog.
He loved his life, family, friends and to have a good time. He lived life on his terms, no regrets, just gratitude. Most importantly he made a difference in the lives he touched and will continue to do so now through this foundation that bears his name. He came to love dogs later in life, and would be thrilled to know that through this organization, children and dogs will be able to interact in an atmosphere of trust and comfort and will brighten their futures immeasurably.
Our Team
Our team comprises dedicated professionals who bring a wealth of expertise in education, dog training, and intervention strategies. Here’s a closer look at the talented individuals leading our program:
Kirsten is the CEO of the Chuck’s Pups Team, bringing a wealth of experience as an educational administrator, animal-assisted intervention specialist, and professional dog trainer. She has successfully led multiple Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) programs, providing vital support to handlers and their schools.
Kirsten specializes in designing and implementing goal-oriented AAI programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of students and school communities. She has also led the Kids and K-9s Program, which helps children build essential social-emotional learning skills through mindfulness, yoga, and dog training. Collaborating closely with the Above the Standard service dog training team, Kirsten also assists children and families receiving service dogs through the sponsorship program, guiding them in building connections with their dogs and integrating them into home and school environments.
Katharine is the backbone of program management at Chuck's Pups, serving as the Executive Director. With a unique blend of skills as a school administrator, dog trainer, and Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) specialist, Katharine plays a pivotal role in the development and organization of Chuck’s Pups programs.
She is instrumental in creating and refining tools that support therapy dog teams, ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed. Offering Tier 1 support, Katharine develops a comprehensive framework for AAI and guides handlers in practicing best practices in AAI competencies. She also ensures that therapy dog teams meet the standards of practice aligned with AAI guidelines.
Katharine’s administrative expertise streamlines program operations, while her dog training skills ensure therapy dogs are well-prepared for their roles. Her dedication to program development and support is vital in maintaining the high standards of Chuck's Pups, facilitating its growth and effectiveness.
Anthony serves as the Business Manager for Chuck's Pups, where he oversees the organization’s operations, strategic planning, and resource management. Anthony is dedicated to maximizing the impact of Chuck's Pups through careful management of resources and development of sustainable business practices.
When he’s not managing the business aspects of Chuck's Pups, Anthony is actively involved in the training and care of the therapy dogs at home. His hands-on experience with the dogs not only enhances their training but also ensures they receive the love and attention needed to thrive. Anthony’s dual commitment to both the business and the well-being of the therapy dogs exemplifies his passion for the mission of Chuck's Pups.
Stacey is our dedicated professional dog trainer and AAI specialist. Her role is pivotal in providing comprehensive support to schools through a combination of virtual professional learning and in-person dog training sessions. Stacey works closely with therapy dog teams, offering individualized dog training support to ensure that both the handlers and the dogs are well-prepared for their roles. She specializes in working with special needs students, tailoring her approach to meet their unique requirements and maximize the therapeutic benefits of AAI. Additionally, Stacey provides coaching on risk management and safety in providing animal-assisted interventions, ensuring that all interactions are conducted in a safe and controlled manner. Her expertise ensures that our therapy dogs are not only well-trained but also effectively integrated into the intervention programs, making a positive difference in the lives of children.
Casey is a dedicated marketing and event planning specialist at Chuck's Pups, focused on organizing events and fundraising for Animal Assisted Intervention programs and service dog sponsorship. With a strong background in leadership and education, he excels in team building and collaboration, creating impactful initiatives that raise awareness and support for these vital causes. Casey's passion for enhancing lives through animal companionship drives his innovative approach to marketing and event strategy.
Our Goal
Our ambitious vision is to transform the lives of children nationwide by partnering with schools, hospitals, and community organizations to provide customized, goal-driven animal-assisted interventions that promote emotional well-being, social growth, and academic success through the unique bond between children and therapy dogs.
Our Service Area
We are based in Vernon, NJ but are happy to provide our services all across new jersey and new york.
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