Unspoken Comprehension Among Nutella, Moritz, and Zora, the Young Ones Acquired Naturally
In a heartwarming initiative, two Spanish water dogs, Nutella and Zora, have found a new home at a community accommodation, bringing joy and emotional support to the children residing there.
Linda Esken, the breeder of Nutella and Zora, took the opportunity to educate the children on how to handle the dogs safely and assured them that they are gentle and friendly creatures. The children, initially reserved due to cultural differences, were soon captivated by the lively duo.
As the children interacted with Nutella and Zora, it became evident that they were not just pets, but companions offering a sense of comfort and healing. Esken shared a touching story of a refugee child who didn't speak German, yet became the centre of attention among his classmates when he handled the animals on the farm.
The older girls at the community accommodation took a particular liking to the ponies, Moritz and Molly. They spent hours grooming them and feeding them treats like carrots and apple slices. The younger children, curious and excited, wanted to know everything about the dogs and even stopped to listen to the guinea pigs and a calm brown rabbit named "Carrot" inside the accommodation.
After some time, Nutella and Zora signalled that they had had enough, lying down in the shade of the trailer. Despite their brief visits, the impact of the therapy animals was profound. Esken believes that a dog could help heal the soul of a specific boy at the community accommodation, providing a beacon of hope in their challenging circumstances.
This initiative is part of a broader approach to therapeutic interventions in refugee care. Animal-assisted therapy, while still a developing field in this context, has shown promise in improving emotional health and providing psychosocial support. In conflict-affected areas like Ukraine, therapy animals have been instrumental in offering emotional support to survivors of war.
However, the presence of therapy animals can be precarious in conflict zones, with many animals being killed, abandoned, or separated from their handlers. More systematic studies specifically addressing animal-assisted therapy in refugee shelters would help fully characterize their effects.
As Diakonin Gritli Lücking, who has been heading refugee aid, prepares to retire, the search is on for her successor. The main task of the new successor will be to maintain contacts with employees, the city, and the district administration, and to convene meetings. With initiatives like the therapy animals, it's clear that the new successor will have a challenging but rewarding role in supporting the emotional well-being of the children in the community accommodation.
[1] Therapy Animals in Conflict Zones: Challenges and Opportunities
[2] The Impact of Multi-Sectoral Residential Programs on Mental Health Outcomes among Refugees
[3] Animal-Assisted Therapy for Human Trafficking Survivors in Shelters
[4] Art Therapy in Refugee Communities: A Review of the Literature
[1] In the context of conflict zones, it might be beneficial to consider strategies that involve applying science-based practices, such as animal-assisted therapy, to help alleviate emotional distress and support the well-being of affected individuals.
[2] Moving forward, it would be advantageous to conduct studies on the impact of multi-sectoral residential programs, incorporating health-and-wellness elements like animal-assisted therapy, on the mental health outcomes of refugees.
