Conversations with Melissa Steimer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Steimer. 

Hi Melissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up in a religious family, learning about service to others was a natural part of my life. But it was not until I made my own decision to leave the comfort of home to attend college at a religious university in another state, that I knew service was going to be a true part of my life. 

Instead of Spring Break, I took groups of college students to small, rural communities to help rebuild churches or clean up the community. When I started my career several years later, it happened by chance that I fell into the non-profit world without knowing it was a long-term viable option for me. I initially worked with at-risk youth and later moved into animal welfare, but had no idea that one day, 25 years later, I would be in a role that combined my love for, and understanding of, the human-animal bond. What I’m doing now with Gabriel’s Angels feels almost surreal. 

I grew up with a love for animals and brought home nearly every kind of species to my parents – not always to their liking, of course. When I had the opportunity to have pets of my own, I made sure to make up for those times when my parents denied my requests to keep whatever it was that I had tried to bring home. I had dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, saltwater fish, and even a lizard. I enjoyed and loved all of my pets, but it wasn’t until I had children that I realized a pet could also change and save lives. 

My own son, who deals with his mental health daily, asked us to rescue a dog in the early stages of the pandemic in 2020. It wasn’t an odd request, of course, but we already had four dogs. He was insistent that we rescue one that he could truly call his own. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made as a family, as every day I get to witness the bond between them that has helped him so much through the last two years. The unconditional love they have for each other is incredible. 

Gabriel’s Angels’ work is driven by a passionate belief that the unconditional love of a dog can heal a child – and I know this to be personally true. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would not say that there have been many obstacles in my way, necessarily, but I would say that overcoming my own lack of confidence to take the next step in my leadership journey created false obstacles for myself. While in several leadership roles throughout my career, I was regularly promoted to the top leadership roles in my areas of responsibility, but somehow, they were always on an interim basis. When it came time to fill the roles permanently, they always went to another person. This became deflating over time and created a lack of confidence in myself. It got to the point that I didn’t believe I could actually do the jobs I was applying for. Becoming the first CEO at Gabriel’s Angels to fill the role following our founder’s departure has been such a blessing, and makes me believe that obstacles are put in our way to learn and grow – but they also open our eyes to where we are actually meant to be. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Gabriel’s Angels’ mission is to inspire confidence, compassion, and best behaviors in at-risk children through pet therapy. Our work introduces the ability for a child to learn core behaviors that might not be possible to learn at home. The children  we work with have the opportunity to learn to trust another living being in a safe environment – to develop a bond with it, to care for it, and to learn respect for it in the process. It is my life’s dream recognized to be in this role. I’m incredibly thankful for the volunteers that have shared their time and treasured pets with thousands of children and youth

 each year across Arizona, and for those who have supported our work with a financial contribution. It takes only $50 to serve one child for an entire year. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
When I was on the job hunt, two friends who didn’t know each other but we’re connected to Gabriel’s Angels reached out to me on the same day to notify me that this job was posted. They each told me it had my name written all over it. They were right! 

Today, I continue to fill my home with animals and currently have five dogs, a parrot, a lizard, and several saltwater fish. My two teenagers love animals as much as I do and it’s very fulfilling to know they feel empathy for and connection to these living creatures. 

Contact Info:

• Email: msteimer@gabrielsangels.org
• Website: www.gabrielsangels.org
• Instagram: instagram.com/gabrielsangels/
• Facebook: facebook.com/gabrielsangels
• Twitter: twitter.com/GabrielsAngels
• Youtube: youtube.com/gabrielsangels

Image Credits
Haute Media