For children who have learned to expect the worst, a small Australian Shepherd named Robin is showing them that connection and trust are possible.

At Murphy-Harpst Children’s Center in Georgia, children aging out of foster care are taking their first steps toward healing. After years of neglect, abuse, and abandonment, simple connections can feel out of reach—but sometimes, that journey toward trust starts with a dog.

A Bridge to Connection

Robin, a miniature Australian Shepherd adopted from a shelter, is much more than a pet. She is a companion, a teacher, and a bridge. With her wagging tail and unconditional love, she gives the children a chance to believe in themselves and imagine a brighter future.

For 18-year-old Jasmine Griffin, Robin has become a source of comfort that people have not always been able to provide.

“If Robin trusts me, I should trust her, because trust is really important, unconditional love,” Jasmine said. “When I see her, I start thinking about how cute she is instead of how sad I am, and that helps a lot… It gives me hope that one day I will be successful and succeed in life.”

A Connection to the Past

For 19-year-old Legend Smith, the bond goes even deeper. For him, Robin is a living connection to his late mother, who loved dogs.

“Robin is a little part of my mom that I carry with me,” Legend explained. “She’s an animal, but she’s my best friend. In a sense, she does everything that I need her to do, and she’s there for me. It made me into a better person, it made me into someone I would like to see myself as.”

Through the simple presence of a friend who listens without judgment, the world is starting to feel like a safer place for the youth at Murphy-Harpst.

Read the original story with 11Alive Atlanta here: At Murphy-Harpst Children’s Center, therapy animals like Robin help kids learn to trust