From Worrier to Warrior with Mighty Moose
Moose, a lovable chocolate Lab with an enthusiasm for tennis balls, bones, and all things squirrel, is a chronic worrier. On his first day at doggie daycare, Moose feels butterflies in his belly when he thinks about the endless worries that Fret the Flea whispers into his floppy brown ear. What if Moose can’t run as fast as the other dogs? What if his parents forget to pick him up? A hero emerges in the form of Mighty Moose, the brave rival to meddlesome Fret. With Mighty Moose teaching him to change his thoughts, Moose returns to doggie daycare and learns to face his fears and run with the big dogs.

Moose the Worry Mutt Goes to Doggie Daycare is a lighthearted picture book with both popular appeal and therapeutic benefits. Mental health professionals, parents, and teachers can use Moose’s experiences to model healthy strategies for managing anxiety, while bright illustrations and lovable characters make this a tale that kids are sure to enjoy time and time again.

Praise & Endorsements

“With great storytelling and beautiful illustrations, Moose the Worry Mutt Goes to Doggie Daycare is a wonderfully engaging story that uses the power of metaphor to help children learn about how to control their worries.  Moose’s transformation from a ‘worrier’ to a ‘warrior’ is a great way for children to discover just how powerful they can be.  Highly recommend!”

- JODY THOMAS, PHD: ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY, STANFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

“This is a delightful story that will appeal to kids of all ages. The authors validate the experience of chronic anxiety – fear of uncertainty, worries about the worst-case scenario, and avoidance of situations that feel dangerous. Moose teaches us that our thoughts might be scary, but that doesn’t make them dangerous, and a new perspective can help us face our fears.”

 - ALI MATTU, PHD: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY CLINIC FOR ANXIETY AND RELATED DISORDERS; HOST, THEPSYCHSHOW.COM

“Moose the Worry Mutt Goes to Doggie Daycare is an excellent resource for anxious children and their parents. “Fret the Flea” cleverly embodies the negative self-talk that these children experience resulting in avoidant and compulsory behaviors. Moose learns to recognize and capitalize on his inner strength in a way that will provide helpful coping strategies for youth who struggle with anxiety.”

- BETSY KENNARD, PHD: PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER, CHILDREN'S HEALTH, DALLAS

“Moose the Worry Mutt Goes to Doggie Daycare is a fun way to explain anxiety coping strategies to young children. The principles in the book are grounded in the research on effective treatments for childhood anxiety and will be useful to mental health professionals, parents, and teachers alike.”

- AMANDA JENSEN-DOSS, PHD: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, CHILD DIVISION, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

We welcome you to download our free therapeutic worksheet.  This worksheet will help your child learn a tool for managing or “bossing back” his worries, much like Moose does when he barks back at Fret the Flea.