Kindling Minds

Kindling Minds Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Kindling Minds, PO 500, Carmel, IN.

We’re on a mission to help teens and pre-teens in central Indiana build resilience and improve mental wellness through research-informed programs rooted in connection—with animals, nature, and art. The Chris Center offers an innovative approach to teen wellness by connecting teens and pre-teens to nature and providing opportunities for human-animal interaction. Our programs include:
* PAWs Therapy

Dog Program
* Alpaca-Assisted Wellness Programs
* Mindful Arts Program
* Parent Education Series

For more information about our programs, please visit our website: www.chriscenterpaws.com

Mental Health Awareness month is coming to a close and we had a month filled with connection, comfort, and a whole lot o...
05/29/2026

Mental Health Awareness month is coming to a close and we had a month filled with connection, comfort, and a whole lot of joy. At Kindling Minds, we believe connection is at the heart of mental wellness. We are here to help Indiana’s youth reconnect—with themselves, with others, and with the world around them through meaningful experiences with animals, nature, and creative expression.

Our name reflects the heart behind our work. Kindling Minds was originally founded in honor of Nancy’s brother, Chris, whose life was deeply shaped by the peace and comfort he found in animals and nature. His story continues to inspire our mission and serves as a reminder that connection can be incredibly powerful in the healing process.

Just like kindling alone cannot build a strong fire, none of us are meant to do life alone. Real impact happens through community, support, and connection. We are grateful to each of you for helping us continue to spark hope and belonging for young people across Indiana!

Let’s hear it for one of our Su-paw-star Sponsors… 🐾We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Katz, Sapper & Miller a...
05/28/2026

Let’s hear it for one of our Su-paw-star Sponsors… 🐾
We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Katz, Sapper & Miller as a sponsor of Wags for Wellness! 💛

Their partnership helps bring this special event to life while supporting our mission to support youth mental wellness through connection, compassion, and creativity.

We’re so thankful to have KSM as part of the Kindling Minds community and grateful for their commitment to helping us create meaningful impact for students across our community.

Save the Date!
📅 September 18 | 6–10 PM
📍 Radius Venue
🎟️ Tickets coming soon!

Kindling Minds PAWS Teams Donna & Angel and Madeline & Zeus brought so many smiles to faces at the Krannert Park Health ...
05/25/2026

Kindling Minds PAWS Teams Donna & Angel and Madeline & Zeus brought so many smiles to faces at the Krannert Park Health Fair! 🐾💛

Hosted by Indy Parks & Recreation, the fair focused on promoting wellness, healthy living, and community connection. Our teams loved getting to share comfort, joy, and plenty of tail wags with everyone they met.

Thinking about getting more involved in your community? We’re actively looking for additional handler-dog teams to help us continue carrying out our mission. We have plenty of opportunities for volunteers to begin engaging with the communities we serve shortly after onboarding. If you (or someone you know) have a calm, well-behaved dog who would enjoy this type of work, we would love to hear from you! 🐶✨

We’re excited to highlight one of our Su-paw-star Sponsors for this year’s Wags for Wellness… Philanthropies 🐾Their gen...
05/21/2026

We’re excited to highlight one of our Su-paw-star Sponsors for this year’s Wags for Wellness… Philanthropies 🐾

Their generous support helps power our mission to promote youth mental wellness through connection, compassion, and creativity. We are truly grateful to have them as part of the Kindling Minds community.

Their partnership helps make this event possible and directly fuels our work with youth and families. 💛

📅 Mark your calendar for a night of celebration, connection, and purpose:
Friday, September 18
6:00–10:00 PM
📍 Radius Venue

🎟️ Tickets available soon—stay tuned!

Support Dog Zeus had an adoring fan at the Krannert Park Health Fair, and the feeling was clearly mutual! Zeus was calm,...
05/19/2026

Support Dog Zeus had an adoring fan at the Krannert Park Health Fair, and the feeling was clearly mutual! Zeus was calm, gentle, and full of love as his new friend smiled ear to ear and giggled through every moment they spent together.

These are the moments we live for.
The quiet connection. The joy. The comfort. The kind of interaction that may seem small from the outside, but leaves a lasting feeling behind.

That’s the power of the human–animal bond.

Kindling Minds PAWS Support Dogs Kingsley, Coco, and Pita had such a special visit with Westfield Best Buddies last week...
05/15/2026

Kindling Minds PAWS Support Dogs Kingsley, Coco, and Pita had such a special visit with Westfield Best Buddies last week! 🐾

Kingsley wasted no time plopping down on the floor, ready to share his good juju with all the loving hands coming his way. Pita and Coco made their rounds, offering calm, quiet moments of connection with students throughout the room. 💛

Best Buddies is all about building friendships and fostering connection both inside and outside of school, and we’re so grateful to play even a small role in helping create more joy, inclusion, and meaningful connection for these students.

Let’s hear it for one of our Su-paw-star Sponsors… 🐾Community First Bank of IndianaTheir support helps bring Wags for We...
05/14/2026

Let’s hear it for one of our Su-paw-star Sponsors… 🐾
Community First Bank of Indiana

Their support helps bring Wags for Wellness to life and fuels our mission to support youth mental wellness through connection, compassion, and creativity. We’re lucky to have so many CFBI employees who not only support the event but also volunteer and show up for our mission year-round.

We’re incredibly grateful to have them as part of the Kindling Minds community 💛

Save the Date!
📅 September 18 | 6–10 PM
📍 Radius Venue
🎟️ Tickets coming soon!

05/13/2026

PAWS Support Dogs Beethoven and Millie had the best time visiting . 🐾

Beethoven was absolutely in his element soaking up all the love and attention, while Millie enjoyed climbing the stairs to visit students and taking in a view she doesn’t usually get to see! 😉

It never gets old walking into a school and hearing the excitement when students recognize our dogs. These visits aren’t just small moments of comfort, they become part of a student’s routine, something they look forward to, and a connection they carry with them each day.

This is the kind of impact you don’t just see… you can feel. 💛

In 2025, 31 PAWS handler–dog teams helped us reach over 2,000 students. 🐾Even more powerful?100% of our handlers said th...
05/11/2026

In 2025, 31 PAWS handler–dog teams helped us reach over 2,000 students. 🐾

Even more powerful?
100% of our handlers said the experience was meaningful and rewarding—for both them and their dog.

As our programs continue to grow, we’re looking to welcome more incredible teams to help us reach even more students.

If you (or someone you know) have a calm, people-loving dog who thrives on attention; and a heart for supporting youth mental wellness, we’d love to connect. 💛

Visit our website to learn more about become a PAWS Handler/Dog Team!

Address

PO 500
Carmel, IN
46082

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