A Case Study from one of our new team members

B was in Year 3 and was referred by his school for Dog Therapy as his whole family were struggling with some very difficult circumstances. B’s younger sister was diagnosed with a very serious medical situation and was in and out of hospital for weeks at a time and of course B’s mum was with her. B was struggling with his mum’s absence and was very worried about his sister.

B had been badly frightened by dogs as a toddler, but had seen Jackson visit his class for another child to have Dog Therapy. When the school had asked him what would help him, of all the options he was given, he chose Dog Therapy! B’s targets were to have some “me time” and space to process his emotions in what was a very fraught time for the family.

At first B was understandably a little cautious around Jackson but he told me straight away in the first session he knew Jackson was safe to be around. During the early weeks his confidence quickly increased, so that he was happy to give Jackson a high five to say hello, and then he also became confident for Jackson to jump on the sofa between us so he could stroke and cuddle him.

During these moments, stroking Jackson, he would often talk freely about how things were in his family and how he was feeling and I was gently able to support him. But the thing that helped the most, was stroking Jackson and feeling his soft fur. I could visibly see B relax and slow down.

B enjoyed learning all the different tricks and games Jackson could do, but his very favourite was playing with Jackson’s tennis ball, where Jackson would either fetch a ball thrown across our large room or catch a ball from various distances. B was very into cricket and football and so developed his own spin on these games, teaching Jackson new ways to catch the ball. He and Jackson worked hard to learn a new trick, to catch a ball off a back kick, and he was so proud when he and Jackson pulled it off (see video below).

I am still new to Animal Assisted Intervention, and it was such a privilege to spend time with B and see the impact that spending time weekly with Jackson had on him at such a challenging time in his life. I have worked in schools for decades and cannot think of any other intervention that makes such a difference so quickly.

Names and identifying features have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the child.