Who We Are & What We Do

Hello, my name is Ryan Hayes aka Mr. Ruff, and I am the proud President and founder of “Cairo and Friends.” Ruff-Ruff, that was Cairo saying Hello! Cairo is my companion and service dog. He has been servicing me for nearly five years. If you don’t mind, I will take this time to tell you about our story. I was involved in a car accident in 2014, a horrible one at that. The outcome of this accident has left me having over a dozen injections, three shoulder surgeries, one knee surgery, and two lower back surgeries. Throughout this process, I was utterly devastated. At times I honestly feared the worst for myself. 

 

I was depressed, uncertain, and not motivated. I'll be crystal clear, I was in a very dark place and contemplated my future. I never thought of actually bringing self-harm or suicidal tendinosis. I just pondered what would happen if I wasn't here on this earth...  If you have ever dwelled in sorrow and depression then it might be safe to say you can relate. After going to countless doctor visits, psychologists, and pain management clinics, I wanted to try an alternative method. Something non-traditional, I then started to research alternative medicines and came across service animals. After countless hours of researching, I finally decided to act on this calling. I finally found my Cairo; he was eight weeks old when I found him. I even had the opportunity to pick him from his mother’s litter. Since the very first day he imprinted on me, and we’ve had an unbreakable bond. Cairo was first an emotional support animal, and after extensive training, he is now a certified service animal. 

 

I know the pain and I know the feeling of isolation very well. Know that you are not alone, you may feel alone but that all can change, if you ask and are willing to recieve help. I found my help and recovery through nature and animals.

Humans tend to feel as if Love can only be transpired from another Human being. In my humble opinion, that is FALSE. Animals can  give the true meaning of unconditional love. Cairo and Friends is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is located in Tampa Bay, FL. Our mission is to bring awareness to Humanitarian Practices, Well-Being, Mental Health, Service and Therapy Dogs. Cairo and Friends was officially established in 2019. We have an extraordinary diverse dynamic approach to bring awareness and combat the negative stigma that is associated with mental health and  with non-traditional alternative medical practices. 

 

Cairo and Friends is currently at the tail-end of researching and conducting surveying with “ADT” Alternative Decompression Therapy  which implements a certified service dog or therapy dog with counseling and therapy. This unique approach takes away the traditional authoritative figure and textbook setting with a “counselor-asking direct questions to a patient”. With our implementation with “Cairo”, our studies are indicating a higher transparency engagement between both parties. Cairo becomes a vessel/medium for a patient to feel more comfortable, reassured, and emotionally supported while participating in C.B.T, Behavioral Services, Group and individual counseling and therapy. 

 

We provide physical interaction with Cairo, such as social interactions, and physical in/outdoor opportunities to all of our clients. We also gift our clients with several physical photos during their interaction with Cairo. We live in a day of technology, where we rarely hold a physical picture of a sentimental moment. Cairo is our official mascot, but wait there's more! Cleo; is a Labradoodle and is 3 years old and Luna; is a Goldendoodle and is 3 years old as well. Cleo and Luna are Certified Therapy Dogs and completed training in December 2023, from Moffit Center. In the near future, our mission is to breed Cairo with Cleo and Luna and train their offsprings to become certified service dogs and therapy Dogs. We would ultimately like to re-home them to people with impairments, hospitals, and clinics for Alternative Decompression Therapy Services.

 

With achieving critical benchmarks and goals we will eventually have "Cairo’s Retreat" operating to have a Farm of trained Labradoodles and Doodle Doodles to promote Alternative Decompression Therapy. This will be a sanctuary for like-minded people, volunteers, individuals with impairments to come to decompress, seek therapy, and be uplifted in a positive community atmosphere. Conduct due diligence, dogs in general give positive health benefits to humans no matter their age, if not allergic. Being around a trained and obedient dog can have a more significant impact on your general well-being and can help with regulating positive emotions.

 

With your help, you can advocate for our mission and cause. What's most important to our organization is to spread the RUFFIN word to friends, family, and society. Send send this link! LET'S BREAK THE RUFFIN STIGMA TOGETHER!!!

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