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Dr. Deana Plaskon, Ph.D., has just released a new children’s book, Bella and Bird Explore Anger. The story is rooted in real-life resilience and compassion.

Dr. Plaskon, who holds a Ph.D. in human behavior and is certified in equine therapy, has spent decades helping children and families navigate big emotions. When she rescued Bella, a gentle Gypsy Vanner horse, to assist in her therapy work, she couldn’t have imagined how the horse’s own journey would shape her mission.

In 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated Pine Island with 150 mph winds. Many animals didn’t survive, but Bella did—despite a serious eye injury and being stranded without food or water after the island’s only bridge was destroyed. She was cared for by boat until help could arrive.

That resilience became the heart of Dr. Plaskon’s new children’s book series. Bella and Bird Explore Anger follows Henry, a young boy who storms into Bella’s pasture. With the gentle guidance of Bella and her barn swallow sidekick, Bird, Henry learns how to uncover the roots of his anger and channel it into healing.

The book empowers children to process difficult emotions with compassion and resilience—lessons inspired by a real therapy horse who’s weathered storms of her own.

You can learn more about Bella here: https://bellabirdbooks.com/

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