Thank you to Dawn Karin’s blog for alerting me to this story from the American Humane Association.
This is such a beautiful thing! As many of you know, Frankie is having quite the impact on children. Still my most fond memory is of Jackson, struggling with accepting his leg brace he must wear, who learned acceptance of it after reading Frankie’s story. He said, “If Frankie wears her brace, I have to wear mine.”
I think children and animals communicate on a level we adults forget we once had. So this new program from American Humane Association I have no doubt will help so many children. Bravo!!
Taken from
American Humane Association Launches Innovative ‘Therapy Animals Supporting Kids (TASK) ™’ Program
On August 17 The American Humane Association “officially launched an innovative new program that encourages and guides child welfare professionals on how to incorporate therapy animals into sessions with children who have been abused or neglected or who have witnessed violence. When children have suffered trauma, it is often difficult for them to speak of their experiences. Incorporating a therapy animal into the process can help a child open up and promote the healing process.
The new program is called “Therapy Animals Supporting Kids (TASK) ™”. It was created by Allie Phillips, J.D., vice president of American Humane’s Public Policy Office and a former prosecuting attorney, and Diana McQuarrie, director of animal-assisted interventions for American Humane and a certified therapy-animal handler. They worked in cooperation with Delta Society® and top child protection professionals to produce the program. TASK was unveiled at the 21st Annual Crimes Against Children Conference in Dallas, which is considered the largest child abuse conference in the United States.
‘As a former prosecutor, I understand the importance of helping children feel comfortable when disclosing and testifying about abuse or trauma,’ said co-author Phillips. ‘Therapy animals provide that comfort and security. The TASK manual was written to help professionals understand this important dynamic that can help a child through the daunting court process.’
American Humane has long acknowledged the power of the human-animal bond, and currently trains and provides registered therapy animals to help people in need, especially children who have been abused or neglected or have witnessed trauma to others. To further support and advance this work, American Humane developed the new TASK national initiative.
It is widely accepted that therapy animals can help individuals who have suffered physical or emotional trauma, but TASK takes this concept one step further. The TASK Program provides guidance to child welfare professionals, attorneys and prosecutors, child protection workers, social workers, police officers, and any other professionals who work with children who have been maltreated and could benefit from involvement with therapy animals…”
You can learn more at:
http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/09-task.html