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Animals Who Heal Children

Sponsored by: American Humane Association

Ten-year-old Laura* had been the victim of sexual and emotional abuse. After being removed from her unsafe home, she was placed in foster care, but the emotional scars from her ordeal were taking a toll and she was placed in a mental health program. Her difficult road to healing began with the support of another specialist trained in such matters Â– a dog named Rigo!

Over the weeks and months of Laura's counseling, her trust in Rigo grew steadily. And one day, a breakthrough occurred. With her arms wrapped around Rigo for comfort and security, Laura whispered in his ear, describing in graphic detail her horror of abuse.

Operating as a program of American Humane Association, Denver Pet Partners provides animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy to clients such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospice, schools, mental health centers and more.

Animals have the power to heal - sign this pledge to support Denver Pet Partners and other animal-assisted therapy programs!
*This is a true story. The child's name has been changed for her privacy.

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deadline: Ongoing...
goal: 30,000

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Just 10 years old, Laura* had been the victim of sexual and emotional abuse. Her difficult road to healing would take time and support, as well as the help of another specialist trained in such matters -- a dog!

After being removed from her unsafe home, Laura was placed in foster care, but the emotional scars from her ordeal were taking a toll. Her behavior suffered, and she was unable to function in a regular school, so she wound up in a mental health program. It was there that she met a therapy dog named Rigo and his handler, Diana -- a trained Pet Partners® team that would help Laura take her first step toward healing.

Animal-assisted therapy can provide the spark that helps children and adults recover from physical and emotional injury.

When Laura first saw the big, black dog, her eyes lit up. She was thrilled to make a new, furry friend. Over the weeks and months of Laura's counseling, her trust in Rigo and Diana grew steadily. And one day, a breakthrough occurred. With her arms wrapped around Rigo for comfort and security, Laura whispered in his ear, describing in graphic detail her horror of abuse.

Opening up about her experience opened the door to Laura's healing. During her year of working with her therapist and Pet Partners team, she learned how to build a healthy relationship with another being, how to feel safe and how to stay safe. Laura was able to re-enter public school and lead the type of life every child deserves. Soon after, she began preparing for adoption into a loving family.

The value of the human-animal bond is perhaps no more evident than in situations like Laura's. That's why American Humane has joined forces with Denver Pet Partners to provide direct services in animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities.

*This is a true story. The child's name has been changed for her privacy.

We signed the “Animals Who Heal Children” petition!

# 30,200:

11:51 am PDT, May 7, Robin Jess, Washington

# 30,199:

11:44 am PDT, May 7, Name not displayed, Florida

# 30,198:

11:36 am PDT, May 7, Sarah Biejansky, Florida

# 30,197:

9:31 am PDT, May 7, Karyn Elliott, Florida

# 30,196:

9:23 am PDT, May 7, Jennifer Laird, Florida

# 30,195:

7:20 am PDT, May 7, Roxanne Mehl, Wisconsin

# 30,194:

6:59 am PDT, May 7, Name not displayed, Texas

# 30,193:

6:52 am PDT, May 7, Brenda Colbert, North Carolina

# 30,192:

10:22 pm PDT, May 6, Karen Meacham, Texas

# 30,191:

10:17 pm PDT, May 6, Joanne Johnson, Virginia

# 30,190:

8:56 pm PDT, May 6, Lillian Kestone-Fazzi, California

# 30,189:

7:19 pm PDT, May 6, Barbara Niemeyer, California

# 30,188:

7:12 pm PDT, May 6, Kim Harris, Oregon

# 30,187:

7:06 pm PDT, May 6, Cecilia Ryan, California

# 30,186:

7:02 pm PDT, May 6, Cat Brown, Tennessee

# 30,185:

6:48 pm PDT, May 6, Robyn McFadden, Texas

# 30,184:

6:29 pm PDT, May 6, Barrie Hillerstrom, Arizona

# 30,183:

5:34 pm PDT, May 6, June Roseberry, California

# 30,182:

4:33 pm PDT, May 6, Name not displayed, Massachusetts

# 30,181:

3:29 pm PDT, May 6, Mary Lane, Ohio

# 30,180:

2:02 pm PDT, May 6, Robin Davis, Pennsylvania

# 30,179:

1:30 pm PDT, May 6, Chuck Miller, Oklahoma

# 30,178:

1:09 pm PDT, May 6, Stella Graham-Landau, Virginia
My daughter has special needs. Our animals are such an important part of her life, accepting her just as she is. Animals are a vital resource in all of our lives. Please support animal-assistance programs generously.

# 30,177:

10:44 am PDT, May 6, Diane Dyal, Florida

# 30,176:

9:44 am PDT, May 6, JOANNE LOCKHART, United Kingdom

# 30,175:

9:12 am PDT, May 6, Name not displayed, Oklahoma

# 30,174:

8:25 am PDT, May 6, Melissa Ruiz, Texas

# 30,173:

7:49 am PDT, May 6, Nina Kreytak, New York

# 30,172:

7:42 am PDT, May 6, Jen Kruse, New Mexico

# 30,171:

7:38 am PDT, May 6, Marcela Huerta, California

# 30,170:

6:39 am PDT, May 6, Margarete Arbuckle, New Hampshire

# 30,169:

6:23 am PDT, May 6, Amy Kimmel, New York

# 30,168:

8:37 pm PDT, May 5, Victoria Valentine, Kansas

# 30,167:

7:27 pm PDT, May 5, Denice Gould, Washington

# 30,166:

7:04 pm PDT, May 5, Judy El masri, Texas

# 30,165:

5:26 pm PDT, May 5, Joanna Mcconkey, Massachusetts

# 30,164:

5:01 pm PDT, May 5, Barbara Russell, New York

# 30,163:

3:53 pm PDT, May 5, Tara Burner, Florida

# 30,162:

3:22 pm PDT, May 5, Linda Rockwell, Pennsylvania

# 30,161:

2:16 pm PDT, May 5, Andrea Willits, California

# 30,160:

1:44 pm PDT, May 5, Julie Figueroa, Florida

# 30,159:

1:39 pm PDT, May 5, Elena Dragomir, Romania

# 30,158:

1:13 pm PDT, May 5, Diane Didiana, Illinois

# 30,157:

12:58 pm PDT, May 5, Gayle Kennedy, Washington

# 30,156:

12:37 pm PDT, May 5, Barbara Baker, Florida

# 30,155:

12:33 pm PDT, May 5, Norma Friel, Florida

# 30,154:

12:04 pm PDT, May 5, Bill Sandifer, North Carolina

# 30,153:

11:55 am PDT, May 5, Mary Carter, Florida
I said years ago that we should take dogs in to childrens hospitals and nursing homes.I am glad it is being done now.

# 30,152:

11:36 am PDT, May 5, Name not displayed, Pennsylvania

# 30,151:

10:49 am PDT, May 5, Roxanne Mccarty, Texas

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