The Power of Affirmation: Why Dogs Are the Missing Piece in Modern Families, Schools, and Society
Affirmation: The Foundation Every Human (and Every Child) Needs
Affirmation is the lifeblood of connection. It’s the act of seeing, valuing, and celebrating the good in others—even when they can’t see it themselves. Sam Crabtree, in Practicing Affirmation, reminds us that relationships thrive when we “highlight the good in others.” Affirmation, he says, is oxygen for the heart.
Paul David Tripp echoes this truth, urging that praise should “ring in the halls of your home.” Without affirmation, a home can feel like a battlefield. With it, a home becomes a sanctuary.
But here’s the beautiful truth we often overlook:
Dogs are masters of affirmation.
They affirm us effortlessly—through their touch, their presence, their consistency, and their unconditional acceptance.
Dogs don’t wait for us to “earn” their affection. They don’t measure our worth by our productivity or performance. They don’t care if a child is anxious, struggling, or bursting with energy.
Dogs say, with every wag of their tail:
“You matter. You’re safe. You are loved—just as you are.”
This isn’t just sentimentality. It’s science. It’s attachment theory. It’s emotional regulation wrapped in fur and delivered with a nuzzle.
And this truth is at the heart of Stokeshire’s mission.
Our Vision: Dogs as Essential Partners in Modern Life
At Stokeshire, we believe dogs are more than companions. They are living, breathing affirmations. They stabilize nervous systems, teach empathy, and heal hearts.
Our vision is to redefine the role of dogs in modern society by raising purpose-bred Stokeshire dogs known for:
Therapy-grade temperaments
Emotional intelligence
Intuitive touch
Exceptional beauty and structure
We see a world where dogs are essential partners in:
Families
Schools
Counseling offices
Therapeutic environments
Veteran services
Foster and adoptive homes
Dogs are not luxuries. They are healers, connectors, and affirmers.
A Purpose-Driven Beginning
For James, co-founder of Stokeshire, the power of dogs wasn’t theoretical—it was survival.
As a child navigating the ache of homesickness and anxiety during interstate custody travel, James found grounding in his dog, Ripley.
Ripley affirmed him when people didn’t.
Ripley’s presence wasn’t just comfort—it was emotional regulation, attachment, and belonging.
Growing up on a five-generation dairy farm, James learned empathy, responsibility, and resilience. He saw firsthand how animals could see, hear, and feel what humans often miss.
He often wondered:
“Would my childhood have been easier if Ripley had been by my side during those flights and visits?”
The answer was always yes.
When Empathy Becomes a Calling
As a neurodivergent child with a sensitive heart, James often felt out of place in school. Empathy, instead of being celebrated, made him a target. Loneliness became a familiar companion.
But dogs?
Dogs never mocked tenderness.
They never punished emotion.
They affirmed it.
This conviction—that every child deserves a dog who understands them—followed James through every stage of his life:
As a children’s museum director
As a summer camp builder
As a school district leader
As a father of ten
Everywhere he went, he saw the same truth:
Schools, clinics, and homes need dogs—calm, intuitive, therapy-grade dogs.
Affirmation Through Touch: Why Dogs Heal
Science now confirms what experience and intuition have always taught:
Touch regulates heart rate.
Eye contact builds trust.
Presence reduces cortisol.
Rhythmic motion (like petting) calms the limbic system.
Dogs provide immediate, nonverbal affirmation. They say:
“You’re okay. Stay with me. I’m not going anywhere.”
This is affirmation.
This is healing.
This is discipleship through presence.
A Dream on the Back of a Napkin
Before Stokeshire had a name, it was a dream—a vision of:
A house on a hill
Children running barefoot
Dogs everywhere
Life, growth, and purpose
COVID-19 didn’t create this vision. It accelerated it. A hurting world needed dogs more than ever.
Creating the Program We Wished Existed
When James and Katie began researching breeders, they encountered the same frustrations as many families:
Lack of transparency
Inconsistent health testing
Unpredictable temperaments
Poor communication
Stokeshire was born from a desire to do better:
Better ethics
Better systems
Better breeding practices
Better client education
Because the right dog changes everything.
A Commitment to Education & Excellence
As Stokeshire grew, so did the responsibility to steward this mission well:
Studying genetics
Developing temperament testing
Building Doodle School
Donating dogs through Pawsitism
Awarding Red Fern Scholarships
In 2025, Stokeshire earned BBB Accreditation with an A+ rating, a reflection of our commitment to integrity and service.
The Power of Affirmation — And Why Dogs Are the Missing Piece
Affirmation changes people. It strengthens families. It transforms children.
Sam Crabtree says affirmation is “finding the good and commending it.”
Paul Tripp insists that praise should echo through the home.
Dogs do this naturally.
They affirm our goodness.
They remind us we are lovable.
They reflect back the best parts of who we are.
If every home, school, and clinic embraced this vision, the world would be softer, kinder, and safer.
This is why Stokeshire exists.
The Journey Forward
Stokeshire isn’t just a breeding program. It’s a purpose-driven movement grounded in:
Intention
Empathy
Affirmation
Healing
Connection
Excellence
What began with a boy and his dog has grown into a mission to raise dogs that heal, connect, and inspire.
Every Stokeshire puppy carries a story—a legacy of hope, affirmation, and unwavering purpose.