Pam Gaber Named Woman of the Year

Pam Gaber, founder of Gabriel’s Angels, has been honored as Woman of the Year by the Women of Scottsdale organization. She was recognized for her work with neglected and abused children through the application of pet therapy.

In 2000, with the help of her young Weimaraner, Gabriel, she established a nonprofit organization which today includes 156 pet-therapy teams serving 115 agencies and reaching 13,000 children annually. The organization was inspired by a holiday visit by Gaber and her dog with children at Crisis Nursery in Phoenix. From that initial visit, a pet-therapy program grew to become regularly scheduled dog/child interaction offering unconditional, non-judgmental love, teaching children empathy, compassion and respect.

Over time, being with therapy animals such as Gabriel helps children to trust again. Gaber’s leadership position in the organization as CEO includes daily involvement in the development, growth and vision of Gabriel’s Angels. Other awards, Gaber has received include the 2011 Scottsdale Chamber’s Sterling Award for Nonprofit and 2008 Hon Kachina Volunteer Award. In2011, Gaber was selected as the YWCA Woman of Excellence in the nonprofit sector. She lives in Phoenix with her husband, Mike, and two dogs, Jack and Noah.

At top: Director Stacey Bailey-Gitt congratulates Woman of the Year Pam Gaber.

Photo by Ron Nachtwey