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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.

deadline: Ongoing...
goal: 30,000

30,690
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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!

# 30,400:

4:17 am PDT, May 11, Robert Martineau, Florida

# 30,399:

1:46 am PDT, May 11, Eric Shafer, Arizona

# 30,398:

1:31 am PDT, May 11, Brandie Lynn, California

# 30,397:

12:56 am PDT, May 11, Al Bauhof, Ohio

# 30,396:

12:52 am PDT, May 11, Robert Yourell, California

# 30,395:

12:11 am PDT, May 11, Name not displayed, Massachusetts

# 30,394:

12:07 am PDT, May 11, Cat Sullivan, Washington
Please keep letting animals come into the lives of people who need them. Their unconditional love gives more healing than words can tell!

# 30,393:

10:55 pm PDT, May 10, Kathy Kaskowitz, California

# 30,392:

10:22 pm PDT, May 10, Jonathan Katz, Kansas

# 30,391:

10:17 pm PDT, May 10, Virgilio Rizzo, New York

# 30,390:

10:06 pm PDT, May 10, Name not displayed, California

# 30,389:

10:00 pm PDT, May 10, K A Redrow, Colorado

# 30,388:

9:43 pm PDT, May 10, Jill Spezzano, California

# 30,387:

9:41 pm PDT, May 10, Tasha Denouve, Tennessee

# 30,386:

9:41 pm PDT, May 10, Peter Hagan, Washington

# 30,385:

9:29 pm PDT, May 10, Margarita Bowers, Ohio
I volunteer and bring my pet reptiles to a camp for children who have cancer, ect. These children love the large snake and alligator and other reptiles. These children even remember the reptiles names from being there the year before.

# 30,384:

9:22 pm PDT, May 10, T Glueck, New York

# 30,383:

9:13 pm PDT, May 10, Kat Frederick, South Carolina

# 30,382:

9:07 pm PDT, May 10, Amber Purkey, Texas

# 30,381:

8:43 pm PDT, May 10, Lorri An, Wisconsin

# 30,380:

8:41 pm PDT, May 10, Ashlei Thomas, Georgia

# 30,379:

8:32 pm PDT, May 10, Karrie Aviles, Illinois

# 30,378:

8:13 pm PDT, May 10, Elizabeth Even, California

# 30,377:

8:11 pm PDT, May 10, Stephenie Sasse, Florida

# 30,376:

8:10 pm PDT, May 10, Mohan/Scott Attar, Maryland

# 30,375:

7:58 pm PDT, May 10, Karenlee Smith, Texas

# 30,374:

7:16 pm PDT, May 10, Bonnie Minkin, California

# 30,373:

7:03 pm PDT, May 10, Margaret Wood, Florida

# 30,372:

6:59 pm PDT, May 10, Bridget Pena, California

# 30,371:

6:56 pm PDT, May 10, Andreas Jahns, Germany

# 30,370:

6:52 pm PDT, May 10, Harmon Nine, Tennessee

# 30,369:

6:35 pm PDT, May 10, Sandra Demasi, Pennsylvania

# 30,368:

5:40 pm PDT, May 10, Rosalyn Pautkze, Minnesota

# 30,367:

5:06 pm PDT, May 10, Stacia Steins, Florida
My daughter was also abused by her father and when therapists and counselors failed her, our trusty pup Chewie has helped her tremendously. So I know first hand that animals CAN help us heal!

# 30,366:

4:31 pm PDT, May 10, Amanisha Mead, Michigan

# 30,365:

3:25 pm PDT, May 10, Marla Parker, California

# 30,364:

3:04 pm PDT, May 10, Leeanne Olson, Arizona

# 30,363:

2:38 pm PDT, May 10, Maris Bennett, California

# 30,362:

2:37 pm PDT, May 10, Carine Binon, Belgium

# 30,361:

2:00 pm PDT, May 10, Janet Gilmore, California

# 30,360:

1:46 pm PDT, May 10, Joyce Piccirillo, New Jersey

# 30,359:

1:38 pm PDT, May 10, Carolyn Dillard, Texas

# 30,358:

1:28 pm PDT, May 10, Cara Knight, Florida

# 30,357:

1:25 pm PDT, May 10, Jackie Diaz, California

# 30,356:

1:13 pm PDT, May 10, Laura Chrapkowski, New Jersey

# 30,355:

12:34 pm PDT, May 10, Christopher Logan, New Jersey

# 30,354:

12:20 pm PDT, May 10, Shannon Roberts, Montana

# 30,353:

11:24 am PDT, May 10, Judy Caputo, Louisiana

# 30,352:

10:39 am PDT, May 10, Jane Herrick, Wisconsin

# 30,351:

10:02 am PDT, May 10, Marjorie Geri, Florida

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