I'm Melissa Lambert, a passionate registered nurse with expertise in psychiatric care. Following my time working at a Houston nonprofit medical detox clinic, I devoted time to nurturing my four wonderful children and am now poised to drive positive change. I am honored to be the mother of four children, ranging from eight to five years old. After years of fertility challenges, my husband and I chose foster care, happily resulting in the adoption of two of our children. Motherhood has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me, but navigating the complexities of developmental delays and sensory processing disorders for our two sons, Gordon, and Henry, who are both on the autism spectrum, has required considerable effort. Through our journey, we've collaborated with numerous therapists, developmental specialists, counselors, behaviorists, and pediatricians. While some approaches yielded breakthroughs for our boys, others paved the way for exploring alternative solutions.

             Early on, I observed that my boys displayed a complete indifference towards our pets, which surprised me since I expected their social interactions with people to be limited, but not necessarily with animals. I felt compelled to help my boys establish a bond with an animal, recognizing the potential for animal-assisted communication skills development. Despite substantial effort, my boys exhibited limited interest in cats or dogs, including those that were not our own, which was disappointing.  I kept pushing and investigating, from taking them to trips to the pet stores to bird watching.  Finally, the day I had longed for arrived! I'll etch that moment in my memory forever - Gordon's face lit up with pure joy, his smile radiant as he exclaimed, 'It's a bunny!' A breakthrough moment, marking the first time he verbally recognized an animal! I often replay the image in my mind, his eyes wide with wonder and curiosity as he saw a bunny for the first time and formed his first connection with an animal.  I believe this was the moment when I started to realize the true impact animals can have.

     The dream of creating Gordon’s Healing Haven was born from tragedy, a testament to the saying, “There’s a rainbow after the storm.” In the spring of 2021, my life took a sudden and devastating turn when I was involved in a severe motor vehicle accident. A car pulled out in front of me, and the impact left my vehicle crushed. My oldest daughter, Haylee, just five years old at the time, was in the car with me.

          Though we were both fortunate to walk away from the accident, we were not left unscathed. The event left us with severe anxiety, and I sustained a significant back injury that would change the course of my life. Three herniated discs in my spine caused nerve dysfunction and chronic pain, making it impossible for me to return to my nursing career—a role that was deeply tied to my identity and sense of purpose.

          The physical and emotional toll of the accident was overwhelming, compounded by the stress of battling the at-fault driver’s insurance company for medical coverage. I felt as though my life had been stripped of joy, health, and meaning. Yet, in the midst of this turmoil, I knew I had to find a way to heal and rediscover purpose.

           As I have done many times in my life, I turned to animals for solace. Their presence has always been a source of comfort and therapy for me. With this in mind, I decided to adopt a bunny, hoping its gentle presence could help bring peace into my life. To my surprise, this small decision created a ripple effect of healing—not just for me, but for my family. My children, even my young sons, were drawn to the rabbits, finding the same sense of peace and connection that I did.

           I began to wonder

 Could the presence of these gentle animals bring comfort and joy to others, too?

             Motivated by this thought, I adopted a few more bunnies and began exploring ways to share their calming presence. With my nursing career on hold until I could undergo spinal surgery, I felt a deep need to fill the void and reconnect with my passion for helping others. I started by taking the bunnies to churches, preschools, and even birthday parties. While the bunnies brought happiness to those events, I didn’t feel the fulfillment I was seeking.

          I soon shifted my focus to making connections in the community and discovered my true calling: providing therapeutic animal interactions for people in need. In 2022, I began visiting local retirement homes and organizations like the Exceptional Foundation. From the very first visits, I knew I had found my purpose. The joy, comfort, and connection the bunnies brought to residents and participants were unmistakable. I saw firsthand how these gentle creatures could brighten someone’s day and provide emotional support.

         As word spread, more facilities began reaching out to me, confirming what I had long felt in my heart: This is where I’m meant to be.