Incorporating horses, dogs, rabbits, fish, and birds, the therapy programme will help rehabilitate survivors, alongside traditional therapy sessions.

In a noteworthy new move, Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) has launched Animal Assisted Therapy Programme to aid the distressed who are under the care of the foundation.

Announcing the move at the Expo 2020 Dubai, the therapy programme is a unique approach that can replace or even complete the traditional psychotherapy sessions with the help of animals.

Incorporating horses, dogs, rabbits, fish, and birds, the therapy programme will help rehabilitate survivors, alongside traditional therapy sessions.

Talking about the new move, Sheikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director-General of the DFWAC shared, “I am delighted and honoured to meet you today at the launch of the Animal Assisted Therapy Programme, the first of its kind at the national level. It is in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The foundation strives to contribute to the development of our society and to serve all members of the community by sustainably providing social services.”

The therapy is a unique approach that can replace or even complete the traditional psychotherapy sessions. It incorporates animals into the psychotherapy process such as horses, dogs, rabbits, fish, and birds to improve people’s social performance and psychological and adaptive functioning, especially the ones going through strong trauma or negative experiences such as illness, loss, violence, abuse, and exploitation.

The program will help the clients of the DFWAC, who are victims of violence and exploitation, especially critical cases that display symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or any psychiatric symptoms related to anxiety and depression.

The program aims to develop new and innovative ways to support children and women who are victims of violence and exploitation and improve victims’ adaptive and interactive abilities.

The sessions will take place on the DFWAC premises along with other activities that would be held in other facilities such as the Dubai Police centres, farms, and stables.