Furry friends visit Teddy Bear Clinic
Stroking, talking to and making eye contact with an animal lowers human blood pressure, relieves stress, and eases feelings of loneliness and depression.
Top Dogs is a voluntary Therapy Dogs organisation whose aim is to spread smiles for miles.
The Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children located in Krugersdorp runs The Kids Court Preparation Program at the Children’s Memorial Institute situated in Braamfontein.
The two organisations came together recently, when Top Dogs went to visit the children and their families at their monthly group session earlier in May to share what scientific research has shown.
Stroking, talking to and making eye contact with an animal lowers human blood pressure, relieves stress, and eases feelings of loneliness and depression because of the increase in ‘feel good’ hormones produced by the brain.
A fear of dogs is not unusual in children who have never had a dog as a pet, but it quickly dwindles once the fear of the unknown is conquered.
Why this is type of therapy relevant to abused children attending the Kids Court Program?
Children and their families who make use of the Teddy Bear Clinic’s services are usually fearful of the criminal justice system. Their perceptions of trust are challenged. The thought of seeing the perpetrator face-to-face again, and the fear of the unknown creeps into their lives.
So how can canine therapy help?
“Some of the children were happy to meet the dogs and others were scared, because the dogs symbolised the unknown to them. But, as soon as the handlers introduced the dogs to the children, their families and the court preparation personnel of the Teddy Bear Clinic, their fears began to decrease.
“The children and their families realised that experiences, like meeting new people or dogs, can be scary at first, but all that can change and become familiar. This process can be likened to facing and overcoming fears, which becomes a journey to healing,” Angela de Bruyn, the Institute’s Head of Department, said.
The Top Dogs organisation, along with the personnel at the Teddy Bear Clinic, provide channels for getting to know the unfamiliar and ease the journey to healing and overcoming fears.
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