Therapy Dogs Connect With Abused Children

[FamTimes reporter Lee Kyung-han] Sometimes, when people feel depressed, they want someone to talk to. Some people occasionally confide their innermost thoughts to animals.

Webster and Axel are therapy dogs at the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre in Canada. Working as a team, the dogs help children who are dealing with difficult issues or have been victims of abuse.

Center director Sheldon Kennedy emphasized the importance of the role the dogs play for children, saying, “We have already seen that the dogs have a positive impact. Going forward, we will measure that impact.”

The therapy dogs do more than simply stay beside children in distress; they also actively support them in stressful situations, such as interviews with police and medical professionals.

Whenever the children need them, the therapy dogs remain by their side and provide comfort. The dogs sit close beside the children or allow them to hug them.

Because the dogs cannot speak, children find it easier to interact with them.

To ensure safety, therapy dogs are trained before being assigned a child to care for.

The dogs undergo obedience training and learn how to socialize with people.

In a young child's small world, even the slightest danger can have a profoundly harmful impact. It is therefore important for children to have a therapy dog as a companion by their side.

Reporter Lee Kyung-han fam1@pcss.co.kr