We are so happy you are here!
Hi! I’m Melissa, a licensed therapist with a passion for helping children and adults overcome anxiety disorders. Growing up in California in a family of medical professionals, I was inspired by my dad, a pediatric neurologist, and my mom, a hospice nurse, to care deeply for others and all living things. My love for animals, especially French Bulldogs, and my dedication to therapy led me to create emotipals™ in 2022—a toy that combines feelings and fun to help children understand and express their emotions.
After my dad's passing in 2020, I wanted to honor his legacy by creating something that would continue to support children, both neurotypical and neurodivergent. Having lived experience with OCD, I know firsthand the power of therapy, and my hope is that emotipals™ can be a tool for parents and professionals to foster self-awareness, empathy, and compassion in the next generation.
Mission Statement
At emotipals™ our mission is to nurture emotional intelligence and empathy in children through our thoughtfully designed stuffed animals. Our unique design of interchangeable eyes and muzzles is crafted to help children recognize, express, and understand their feelings in a fun and supportive way. By combining imaginative play with emotional learning, we aim to empower children to build meaningful connections with themselves and others, fostering a more compassionate and emotionally aware generation.
a love for animals
I grew up with a deep love for animals, inspired by my dad, who had a passion for caring for all kinds of creatures. From dogs and fish to birds, his enthusiasm for fostering and nurturing animals shaped my own appreciation for their companionship and the joy they bring to our lives.
my experience
I started my career working with children with special needs, focusing on their unique emotional and developmental needs. This experience deepened my passion for supporting children’s growth and led me to teach social-emotional skills in an elementary school prevention and early intervention program. Building on these experiences, I created Tidepool School, a program dedicated to fostering inclusive and engaging social-emotional learning opportunities for children of all abilities.
why frenchies?
My love for Frenchies started with my dad, who had one when he was growing up. Now, I have four of my own and adore their playful, funny, and cuddly personalities. Their charm inspired me to make them the first emotipals™ product, and I hope to expand the collection with other animals in the future!