Dubai Foundation Initiates Second Phase Of Animal-Assisted Therapy Program

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) has initiated the second phase of its animal-assisted therapy programme. This effort is part of implementing Dubai Social Agenda 33 under the slogan "Family: The Foundation of Our Nation." The programme aims to build happier, closer, and more tolerant families that adhere to the national identity.

Sheikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of DFWAC, highlighted that this new phase builds on the substantial achievements of the first phase. She stated, "This innovative programme not only reflects the foundation's commitment to innovative and provide comprehensive health and psychological solutions but also significantly contributes to enhancing the quality of life for those it serves, aiming to enhance their quality of life and boost their mental and physical well-being."

The initial phase launched in 2022 integrated trained animals into psychological services. It aimed to develop new methods to support children and adults affected by violence and exploitation. Over two years, 63 visits and 202 sessions were conducted, benefiting 255 children and women in collaboration with partners like PoshPaws and Dubai Mounted Police.

As part of the programme, DFWAC organised a workshop presented by Zahra Poonawala, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Equine and Animal Assisted Therapist. The workshop targeted 30 service providers in social home care for women and children, as well as police sector workers specialising in child and women's protection.

The three-day workshop introduced participants to animal-assisted psychotherapy concepts, its origins, history, and scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. Participants received training on structuring treatment sessions and ethical standards to ensure safety for both animals and patients.

Expanding Programme Scope

The second phase aims to expand the scope of the programme to include professionals working with victims of violence and abuse. Al Mansouri emphasised that this aligns with Dubai's social strategy to build a cohesive society where members enjoy health and happiness through innovative initiatives.

Initially, many participants showed hesitation, reluctance, withdrawal, introversion, distraction, loss of eye contact, boredom, fatigue, and resistance. However, post-program assessments revealed significant improvements such as increased participation, cooperation, enhanced concentration, attention, effective use of senses, leading to greater acceptance.

Positive Impact on Participants

The programme has proven effective in relieving stress and anxiety while improving mood and emotions. Al Mansouri noted that DFWAC achieved remarkable success in the first phase with clear positive impacts on participants' interactions with animals.

The final day included practical training on integrating animals into therapy sessions using trained animals qualified by specialised companies. This hands-on approach helped participants understand how to effectively incorporate animals into therapeutic settings.

This initiative underscores DFWAC's commitment to achieving Dubai Social Agenda 33 goals by developing programmes that contribute to individual well-being and social cohesion. The animal-assisted therapy offers an alternative or complementary approach involving pets like horses, dogs, rabbits, fish, and birds to enhance social functionality.

The programme was designed to foster healthy relationships among victims while alleviating pain from traumatic experiences or injuries. It aimed at improving mood levels while relieving psychological stress caused by trauma or violence.

In conclusion, DFWAC's animal-assisted therapy programme is a unique initiative aligned with Dubai's social strategy focusing on family life quality enhancement. This long-term vision supports sustainable development through fostering a cohesive family system.

With inputs from WAM