About
Welcome!
Here at You’re Not Alone; (YNA;) we strive to help others through their life journey by supporting whole-person health and well-being, with an emphasis on mental health. We aim to ignite a community culture with strong relationships and conversations surrounding acceptance, understanding and empathy.
Meet Amy
Amy Theisen Walz is an avid pup-lover, advocate for the underdog, vocalist and speaker.
With a mission of creating a non-judgmental zone by personally understanding the many trials students experience with mental health diagnoses. Amy began by sharing the unconditional love of her therapy pup Willow Grace in the Monticello Middle School in October 2021. After piloting the program for 1 year, You're Not Alone; became a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit in June 2022.
Amy loves to share the mission of You're Not Alone; and the effect a dog plays in the mental illness crisis! Amy knows, without a doubt, this was what she was made for...to shatter the stigma surrounding mental illness, one therapy dog at a time & to ensure that no one feels alone in their mental illness struggles.
Amy lives in Monticello with her husband Nick (of 35 years) and darling British black lab 4-year-old Spirit of Hope. Amy just said goodbye in July to her sweet 6-year-old therapy pup Willow Grace, the founding canine of You’re Not Alone; Amy adores her three adult children, their spouses, her darling grandson and two new bundles of joy joining their family in late 2026 & early 2027!
Our Vision
An Additional Layer Of Support
YNA works alongside schools to offer an additional layer of support for both students and staff.
Compassion, Empathy, Understanding
YNA fosters compassion, empathy, and understanding by meeting students where they are, providing a listening ear, and support alongside a certified therapy dog.
A Judgement Free Space
YNA programming creates an open, inclusive, and judgement-free space where all participants can feel safe, respected, and seen.
Volunteer Driven
At its core, YNA is driven by volunteers committed to making a difference and reducing stigma around mental illness. Through visits with certified therapy dog teams, they offer compassion, understanding, joy and empathy to students, no matter what they may be facing.
Our Mission
Helping others through their life journey by supporting whole-person health & well-being, with an emphasis on mental health. Igniting a community culture with strong relationships & conversations surrounding: acceptance, understanding, & empathy.
"Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer."
– Dean Koontz, Author
We Can't Do It Alone
Many people today are undergoing more stress and anxiety than ever before. Your donation will provide the support and resources to impact 100’s of individuals. Our program provides a positive environment with unconditional love and support when individuals need it the most. You're Not Alone; is a 501c3 non-profit organization, making your donation tax deductible!