Children and animals - a beneficial relationship 

Animals behave "neutrally" towards people. They mirror what others do, rather than making judgements. Animals are not calculating - they give and take without making conditions. In their relationship with animals, children can learn to have relationships, build up a sense of trust, find comfort, take responsibility, and experience the effects of their actions and feelings. This requires suitable animals, the appropriate conditions, and competent instructions and guidance.

Staff at SOS Children's Village Mersch are applying a targeted form of teaching with animals as a form of trauma management. Most of the children that live in the SOS Children's Village have lost trust in other people as a result of painful experiences earlier in their lives. Cruelty, sexual abuse, neglect and frequent changes of their reference people have left the children traumatised. This makes it difficult for them to have interpersonal relationships, to live with others and to have a healthy development.

In the "Schneider Haff", formerly a barn and farmhouse, children and young people in out-of-home care look after animals in need, and draw parallels between their lives and the animals' lives. It is obvious to them that these helpless animals depend on the care of humans. They develop a sense of empathy and their instinct to care for others changes their behaviour patterns. Caring for animals encourages the children to develop relationships that boost their identity and their relationships with the animals make it possible for them to become more emotionally mature. The children and young people are needed and have a place in life.

"I'll never trust anyone again." Sophie*, age nine
Animals behave in a way that corresponds to human emotions, which means that they are real partners that must be valued, and this can result in trust and comfort, and support the children in developing social and emotional skills. Through the animals, the children gain new and additional experiences of relationships and learn to transfer these skills to their behaviour towards other people. Separation is always a traumatic experience for children. As a result of their relationship with the animals, the children can make progress in their recovery.

"In your eyes, I do everything wrong." Réné*, age twelve
The children's strengths come out when they are caring for the animals, not their weaknesses. The reality is that there is a creature that is more in need of help than the children or young people themselves. Caring for the animals makes the children care for themselves. "Moved, tempted - the impulse to stoke an animal's fur, touch its feathers, to protect a helpless creature is the key to self healing." (Hanne Tügel)

"An animal doesn't care where I'm from." Charlotte*, age 13
Since animals relate to people independent of social values and norms, they convey a sense of complete acceptance and therefore the feeling of being accepted and important. The relationship is not hindered by ambivalence. Trust develops and the children's experiences can be transferred to interpersonal relationships.

"Why does the donkey look so sad?" Sophie*, age nine
Animals show their feelings. They act as a stimulant. The children share the animals' feelings and experiences, so they develop a sense of empathy. Studies show that children and young people who grow up with animals are better at putting themselves in other people's positions in terms of feelings and needs. Empathy is one of the best ways to combat violence. It is the basis for every form of care and the development of social skills, and the development of trusting relationships.

"The cat likes me, doesn't it?" Sophie*, age nine
Words are not very important when it comes to the relationship between people and animals. The type of communication is the language of emotion, which is the language of children. Almost all children and young people feel as if the animals "speak to them", which helps the therapy process.

"Judy is always happy with me, whatever mood I am in. At least she doesn't lie to me." Max*, age ten
As a person's trust in an animal increases, it can become easier for them to have the ability to develop a relationship with others, since it is easier to work towards building up a defence mechanism.

"Sometimes I'm scared." Max*, age ten
When in contact with animals, the children can learn to identify their fears and limitations and how to overcome them.

"I was very sad that the calf died just after it had been born. But we're now mum to another calf that does not have a real mother, just like me, which is good." Patrick*, age six
Through their lives with animals, the children learn to deal with existential matters such as birth, the meaning of life, illness, age and death. Their perception of reality is improved.

"I can learn a thing or two from donkeys - they count to ten before flipping out!" Max*, age ten
Children can learn about self-control through their relationship with the animals.

"Why does Judy like Andy more than me?" Fabienne*, age twelve
The children's own behaviour is mirrored in a quick and simple way in their behaviour towards the animals. The straightforward reciprocation of the animals means that the children learn to reflect and develop new behaviour patterns.

Animal-assisted therapy aims to take children away from the dead end of violence, anger and fear, and are prevented from thinking that there is no point to life.

"People gain pleasure from life, and experience humour and optimism when they are in contact with animals. Animals help children to laugh and play and cause endorphins to be realised in their brain. This helps them to become happier, and reduces feelings of pain and stress." (Dr. McCulloch)

"Emotional intelligence is encouraged through the children's relationship with animals: intuition, recognising the feelings of another and reacting correctly (empathy), the ability to motivate oneself and the vast field of creativity." (Dr. Andreas Schwarzkopf)

"Working with animals involves taking great care with regard to risk assessment and hygiene. It is not without risks and working with traumatised children and their symptoms requires a particularly professional approach to the protection of humans and animals. Without this, the animals cannot have a positive effect, since they are not therapists and healers who are responsible for what they do." Karin Kiesendahl, responsible for animal-assisted teaching/therapy at Lëtzebuerger Kannerduerf.

* The names of the children featured in this text have been changed to protect the children's identities.