Therapy dog will help child sex victims

Article Title:
Therapy dog will help child sex victims

To view the contents on www.Jacksonsun.com, go to:
http://www.Jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201403270520/NEWS01/303270008

therapy dog breaking new ground

"One client has a four-year-old son who has difficulty making friends and felt shy around the other kids when he first came to the shelter. But he was immediately drawn to Mac, who was perfectly comfortable as kids boisterously leaped on a couch beside him and whose kisses provoked squeaks of delight.

“He’s helpful for clients to talk about their problems, but also not to talk about them,” said family therapist Jennifer Clarke. “They can forget for a moment and just be.”

Clarke wants to have Mac sit in on children’s evening storytime, so that kids who are comfortable with animals can cuddle with him “and get their cozies before bed.”

Mac’s work at the shelter is an initiative of a new group, the Human Animal Vulnerability Coalition, which includes the humane society, the shelter, Family and Children’s Services and other community groups. The coalition has already run free vet clinics for people who can’t afford shots for their pets and has plans to set up a fostering program for the pets of people who are going into hospital, jail or long-term care."

CLEARWATER – She didn’t want to talk about it. Not to her, at least. Not yet. She was 12 or 13 and should have been outside playing, not sitting with a therapist to talk about being sexually abused by a family member. Things like that are not supposed to happen.But then came the dog. Obi, a gentle, tan German shepherd doesn’t judge. In that session, the therapist focused a lot on the dog, and the girl got to go outside and walk her. The therapist finally broke through with the girl. She opened up more. Even in subsequent sessions without Obi present, she was much more open with her therapist.


Bild lånad från http://www.tbnweekly.com/
Hela artikeln här: http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/clearwater_beacon/content_articles/032014_clw-01.txt

Therapy dog helps kids with autism socialize

8 On Your Side: Therapy dog helps kids with autism socialize | 8 On Your Side - WGAL Home



bild lånad från http://www.wgal.com/

Terapihundar till rättspsyk

Härliga nyheter!