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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 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

30,775
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(This is a pledge petition � your signature reflects your support of this initiative, but your signature will not be sent to any target.)

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!

# 30,600:

11:29 pm PDT, May 22, Peggy Davis, Georgia

# 30,599:

7:09 pm PDT, May 22, Cassandra Salomon, Arizona
Our dog saved my boys life by alerting us in the middle of the night by repeatedly barking to wake us when my boy went into a major seizure cluster. we rushed my boy to the hospital where they were able to bring him out.

# 30,598:

6:27 pm PDT, May 22, Glen Kovacs, Canada

# 30,597:

6:20 pm PDT, May 22, Damayanty Wright, California

# 30,596:

6:21 pm PDT, May 22, Cheryl Jacobson, Nevada

# 30,595:

5:04 pm PDT, May 22, Yvonne Van onselen, New York

# 30,594:

4:05 pm PDT, May 22, Kristy Mitchell, Texas
I was a battered child and I suffer from mental illness. My pets have done so much to help me survive. I couldn't have made it without them.

# 30,593:

1:47 pm PDT, May 22, Erika Nanes, California

# 30,592:

11:44 am PDT, May 22, Name not displayed, Washington
I do believe animals from cats, dogs, and even dolphins are a great asset to help children, of either abuse, neglet, or children with physical and emotional disabilites, It can help heal them, or bring them out to there lsolation and fear.

# 30,591:

10:10 am PDT, May 22, Arielle Smith, Georgia

# 30,590:

9:39 am PDT, May 22, Laura Simpson, Canada

# 30,589:

9:24 am PDT, May 22, Name not displayed, Oregon

# 30,588:

8:24 pm PDT, May 21, Moni Anonym, Germany

# 30,587:

7:27 pm PDT, May 21, Name not displayed, Pennsylvania

# 30,586:

6:09 pm PDT, May 21, Nancy Chismar, New Jersey

# 30,585:

5:10 pm PDT, May 21, Roxy Bowman, Florida

# 30,584:

3:53 pm PDT, May 21, Marjorie Mccurtain, Colorado

# 30,583:

2:57 pm PDT, May 21, Carmen Ralat, Florida

# 30,582:

1:19 pm PDT, May 21, Annette Klein, Canada

# 30,581:

12:51 pm PDT, May 21, Yolanda NIeto, New Mexico

# 30,580:

12:30 pm PDT, May 21, Elizabeth Kellogg, Oregon

# 30,579:

10:45 am PDT, May 21, Gayle Rojas, Nebraska

# 30,578:

8:40 am PDT, May 21, Matt Rible, North Carolina

# 30,577:

8:00 am PDT, May 21, Sandra Davis, Arkansas

# 30,576:

5:50 am PDT, May 21, Stanley Guerin, Michigan

# 30,575:

9:22 pm PDT, May 20, Marilynn Sanders, Washington

# 30,574:

3:49 pm PDT, May 20, Eileen Sarett-Cuasay, Virginia

# 30,573:

11:08 am PDT, May 20, Ruby Rosemond-taylor, Arizona

# 30,572:

11:04 am PDT, May 20, Ann Braselton, Illinois

# 30,571:

9:43 am PDT, May 20, Ali Opodus, Pennsylvania

# 30,570:

7:09 am PDT, May 20, Laura Wagner, California

# 30,569:

6:54 am PDT, May 20, Veerle De winne, Belgium

# 30,568:

6:36 am PDT, May 20, Heather Colon, New York

# 30,567:

5:51 am PDT, May 20, Jennifer Galusha, Florida

# 30,566:

5:36 am PDT, May 20, Shannon DeCelle, New York

# 30,565:

2:55 am PDT, May 20, Marvette Bagwell, Florida

# 30,564:

11:04 pm PDT, May 19, Elizabeth Sowers, California

# 30,563:

9:31 pm PDT, May 19, Carol Foort, Washington

# 30,562:

6:07 pm PDT, May 19, Lila BRAHIMI, France

# 30,561:

6:02 pm PDT, May 19, Sharon Garner, California

# 30,560:

2:15 pm PDT, May 19, Amanda Scarberry, California

# 30,559:

8:39 am PDT, May 19, Jodie Young, South Dakota
I have seent he joy that comes over kids faces, no matter of their situation, when they encounter a friendly puppy....

# 30,558:

8:33 am PDT, May 19, Elizabeth Gill, California

# 30,557:

8:31 pm PDT, May 16, Roz Becker, Georgia

# 30,556:

8:04 pm PDT, May 16, Jo Ann Hasty, Tennessee

# 30,555:

8:01 pm PDT, May 16, Zigmund Connell, Massachusetts

# 30,554:

8:00 pm PDT, May 16, Breanna Reina, Washington

# 30,553:

6:22 pm PDT, May 16, Name not displayed, New York

# 30,552:

5:25 pm PDT, May 16, Bec Ponder, Missouri

# 30,551:

3:15 pm PDT, May 16, Elizabeth Muck, Colorado

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