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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

30,803
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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!

# 30,750:

4:47 pm PDT, Sep 4, Name not displayed, Texas
Animals are pure love and comfort for so many people and would surely help children, they react to animals sometimes in ways they would never with other people. Keep the animals with the children, let them help please!

# 30,749:

7:02 am PDT, Sep 4, Name not displayed, United Arab Emirates
i have 4 cats and my before taking the firt little kiten i had a horible time in my relationship. I was convinced that my boyfriend and i will never last and his depression will just chase the love and understanding away one day. He surprised me one day by coming back home and bringing back Oscar. American short hair male cat. It happened so that every cat after that was adopted as a rescue and bigger my familly grows better my boyfriend started feeling. There is no stress or fight anymore, no more shouting or hate, we ar growing together happier then ever. The main change happened when Oscar started sleeping in our bed and paying attention to my boyfriend. They are very close to each other and at times i will hear Louie talk to he cat confessing all that bothers him. What a wonderful gift from God those re, i love my cats

# 30,748:

6:35 am PDT, Sep 2, Siobhan Casey, Ireland

# 30,747:

2:47 pm PDT, Sep 1, Bethany Saint Clair, Washington

# 30,746:

1:34 pm PDT, Aug 30, Alice Olivo, Italy

# 30,745:

5:23 pm PDT, Aug 29, Rhonda Bradley, Tennessee

# 30,744:

6:13 am PDT, Aug 29, Elizabeth Bradley, Tennessee

# 30,743:

11:48 pm PDT, Aug 28, Akasha Eegenes, California

# 30,742:

9:07 am PDT, Aug 28, Tami Brutsman, Idaho

# 30,741:

11:12 am PDT, Aug 27, Heather Wright, Ohio

# 30,740:

7:26 am PDT, Aug 25, Sharon L. Leggett, Pennsylvania

# 30,739:

3:57 pm PDT, Aug 23, Raw Rii, Arizona

# 30,738:

11:51 pm PDT, Aug 22, Jaqueline Grijalva, California

# 30,737:

11:22 pm PDT, Aug 22, Anthony Egan, Australia

# 30,736:

10:46 am PDT, Aug 19, Lillie Van Scoy, Virginia

# 30,735:

11:54 am PDT, Aug 17, Ladyanighnight Fisher, California

# 30,734:

10:59 am PDT, Aug 16, Susan Finch, Australia
Animals give unconditional Love,they only asked to be fed & in return they want to be your best Friend.I have always had Doggies in my Lifetime,still have one Dog,her name is Chloe.Chloe u nderstands everything i say or do,she will be 3 years old in November,she is cross Maltese/Pomeraniam.I would dearly love to show her to any Children that are in need of a Cuddle.Sincerley Susan

# 30,733:

3:08 pm PDT, Aug 15, EDWARD JANUS, Illinois
My name is Edward Janus. I am a Disability Advocate and Activist. My Campaign and Mission is Fighting for Persons With Disabilities, Human Rights, Civil Rights, Animal Rights, Health Care Issues, Environmental Issues, Peace Issues, and Making Our Voices Heard. Sincerely, Edward Janus | Disability Advocate and Activist 10707 Wrightwood Ave. Northlake, IL. 60164 E-mails: EdwardJanus@msn.com EdwardJanus@EdwardJanus.net EdwardJanus@care2.com EdwardJanus.net Disability Online Network Services Web Site: www.EdwardJanus.net MSN Group: http://groups.msn.com/EdwardJanus MSN Blog: www.EdwardJanus.spaces.live.com My Care2: http://my.care2.com/edwardjanus

# 30,732:

9:29 am PDT, Aug 15, Kathy Rau, California
I am all for animals helping people with any sort of difficulty's that they may have. Service and Helper animals are a godsend for people in need.

# 30,731:

10:53 pm PDT, Aug 13, Kristina Werner, Michigan

# 30,730:

9:55 am PDT, Aug 13, Carrie Coulter, Mississippi

# 30,729:

7:01 am PDT, Aug 13, Name not displayed, New Jersey
Bless you all for this initiative! :)

# 30,728:

4:32 pm PDT, Aug 12, Eric Tranter, United Kingdom

# 30,727:

8:19 pm PDT, Aug 10, Name not displayed, Montana

# 30,726:

12:26 pm PDT, Aug 10, Jaclyn Green, New Jersey

# 30,725:

8:06 am PDT, Aug 10, Name not displayed, New York

# 30,724:

11:04 am PDT, Aug 9, Sherri Bessire, Texas

# 30,723:

1:37 pm PDT, Aug 8, Jane Cubelli, Massachusetts

# 30,722:

5:48 pm PDT, Aug 5, Shelly ., Washington

# 30,721:

5:01 am PDT, Aug 5, Michael Valdivielso, Virginia
Animals can always be trusted.

# 30,720:

2:43 pm PDT, Aug 4, Vincent Lopez, California

# 30,719:

12:06 pm PDT, Aug 4, Nicole Imhof, Germany

# 30,718:

7:39 pm PDT, Aug 3, CARLA DIAS, Brazil

# 30,717:

3:06 pm PDT, Aug 3, Karen Simon, Illinois

# 30,716:

12:30 pm PDT, Aug 3, Tina Migadakis, Greece
Unfortunately over here in Greece there is still the misconception that animals are related with diseases and ticks and flees and that thay should be kept outside of the living areas of families as well as very very far away from hospitals. Many European Animal Rights Organisations are trying to teach local Governing Authorities aswell as the children at the schools the true healing values that animals have on human lives wether it be a child or adult. I hope that there will come a day over here in Greece where animals especially domestic animals will be given there rightful place in society as contact with animals can only better your outlook in life as they were created and placed on this earth to teach us the true meaning of Life as your lust for life can only be found in the love and devotion you see in an animals eyes.

# 30,715:

8:08 pm PDT, Aug 2, Name not displayed, Maryland

# 30,714:

11:58 am PDT, Jul 31, Tatiyana Devlin, United Kingdom

# 30,713:

8:24 pm PDT, Jul 29, MaryE. Lorio, New York

# 30,712:

7:26 pm PDT, Jul 28, Marina Payne, Oregon

# 30,711:

3:53 pm PDT, Jul 28, Angela Rhodes, Greece

# 30,710:

11:22 am PDT, Jul 26, Andrea Alnwick, New York

# 30,709:

4:41 pm PDT, Jul 25, Name not displayed, New York

# 30,708:

4:11 pm PDT, Jul 25, Obeth Morales, Mexico
I'm activist because a magic and pure soul show me the real love. My first cat, my first recovery... It supose that i help her, and she save me.

# 30,707:

7:19 pm PDT, Jul 24, Brent Stevens, Nevada

# 30,706:

10:28 am PDT, Jul 23, Rick Blair, California

# 30,705:

2:04 am PDT, Jul 23, Christina Kyriakidou, Greece

# 30,704:

2:09 pm PDT, Jul 22, Cath McKenzie, United Kingdom

# 30,703:

12:35 pm PDT, Jul 22, P. Carrick, Massachusetts

# 30,702:

12:35 am PDT, Jul 22, Karen Zimmermann, Missouri
My son, who has autism, is very attached to and comforted by our elderly cats, one of whom sleeps with him every night.

# 30,701:

11:55 pm PDT, Jul 21, April Lynn MacDonald, Canada

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