Our Story
The Boxy Foundation was inspired by a cat named Boxy, found alone and defeated in a box. Her journey was largely unknown and heartbreaking. She never got the chance to heal—a regret that will never be forgotten.
Though her chance to heal was lost, her legacy fuels a mission to make sure others don’t go unseen. Boxy’s life serves as a reminder that many—both humans and animals—suffer quietly, without the love and care that they deserve.
What We Do
We provide animal-assisted interventions to inject joy into the lives of those who are suffering.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
1 in 5 U.S. adults is experiencing mental illness.
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 is experiencing a mental health disorder.
Animal-assisted therapy is a proven method for improving outcomes and evoking positive emotional responses in clients.
The Boxy Foundation is dedicated to honoring the legacy of a once-abandoned cat named Boxy by ensuring that no life—whether human or animal—goes unseen or unheard. We are committed to fostering healing, connection, and renewed purpose through the transformative bonds between humans and animals.
Through therapeutic programs, educational and community outreach, we strive to build a more empathetic world where recovery, healing, and peace are possible.
Service Details
Animal-Assisted Treatment
The presence of specially trained animals, guided by licensed healthcare professionals, supports therapeutic goals such as improving emotional regulation, reducing anxiety, and fostering personal growth.
Animal-Assisted Education
Our education integrates animals into structured, professionally designed teaching plans to enhance learning, social skills, and personal development, while also promoting the mutual well-being of both students and animals.
Animal-Assisted Support Programs
We provide comfort, motivation, and companionship through interactions with trained animals, offering emotional support in diverse settings such as hospitals, workplaces, and community spaces.
About the Founder
Karina Hallinan is a social worker in Riverside County, California, whose career has been profoundly shaped by resilience and personal transformation. Her lived experiences, combined with her education, have cultivated a deep empathy for the challenges others face. As a therapist, she provides individualized care grounded in evidence-based practices, helping clients build self-awareness, strengthen their personal resources, and make meaningful progress toward healing. A lifelong animal lover and rescuer, Karina believes the human–animal bond is a vital yet underutilized source of emotional well-being. Inspired by her dual passions for social work and animal advocacy, she founded The Boxy Foundation, an organization dedicated to creating unique opportunities for hope, connection, and transformation where both people and animals are given the chance to heal and thrive.
