The youth that The Peacock Foundation supports are often dealing with traumatic experiences: death, gang violence, homelessness, abuse, neglect, and low self-esteem.  They are looking for people who will care for them in their most broken and tragic place. Sadly, people have often not been there for them. People have let them down. Animals, however, have not. After all, animals do not judge, hold grudges, or act maliciously, and, when properly trained, they welcome attention and affection from anyone who offers it. It is easier for many at-risk children to connect with animals than with humans.

Research has also shown that contact with animals can lower an individual’s anxiety and blood pressure levels (review the research).  Animal interaction can therefore be helpful when counselors and clients explore highly sensitive and emotional experiences.

We support programs where counselors and animals work together to connect with at-risk youth. The presence of an animal in an individual or group therapy session minimizes stress and anxiety, encourages curiosity and discussion, and helps to build relationships of trust.

Maybe, but at this session, Monster (an ironic name for an ultra tame,
half blind, senior citizen of a dog) served another important role.
She created space for conversation.  Everybody – myself included –
wanted to know more about Monster. Where did she come from? How old
was she? What did she eat? And these seemingly simple questions about
the dog created space for the group to talk about their own lives and
their own feelings. For example, Monster had been abandoned before
being adopted by Lisa. This story created space for the group to talk
about abandonment and the fear, sadness and anger that often
accompanies it. Monster had most of her teeth removed because they
were rotten. This story created space to talk about self-care.  The
discussion was diverse: some of it funny, some of it serious. The
children were clearly engaged, and I was impressed at how Lisa used
Monster to bring up sensitive topics in an indirect and
non-threatening way.

In retrospect, I’m surprised that I was so wrong about the role of
animals in animal-assisted therapy (or at least so limited in my
assumptions). How many times have I stood on the corner with another
person silently waiting for the walk signal? Add a dog to that scene
and, as if struck by lightening, I suddenly talk to the stranger that
I would have otherwise ignored. I ask about the dog’s breed and age; I
comment on its coat and its behavior; I pet the dog; I tell the dog
owner about my animals. Suddenly the walk light I’ve been waiting for
is an unwelcome interruption. It’s shocking how animals can create a
safe space for conversation between strangers. And the same is true in
animal-assisted therapy. Put a therapist and a group of kids in a room
by themselves. Watch them make awkward small talk and struggle to
develop a relationship of trust.  Now add a dog to that scene …

Walt Disney: Today Disney rakes in billions from merchandise, movies and theme parks around the world, but Walt Disney himself had a bit of a rough start. He was fired by a newspaper editor because, “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” After that, Disney started a number of businesses that didn’t last too long and ended with bankruptcy and failure. He kept plugging along, however, and eventually found a recipe for success that worked.

]]> http://peacockfoundation.org/2011/04/22/change-one-life-2/feed/ 0 http://peacockfoundation.org/2011/04/22/site-under-construction/ http://peacockfoundation.org/2011/04/22/site-under-construction/#comments Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:05:02 +0000 admin http://peacockfoundation.org/?p=128 Prevent one child’s suicide,

Prevent one future inmate,

Prevent one new drug dealer,

Prevent one future inmate…

What could you do with your time, finances, and love?