‘Pawsitive therapy’ for kids with learning disability, mentally challenged

Mumbai, November 15 The saying that ‘dogs are a man’s best friend’ has assumed a new dimension. Not only are they loyal compassions but they also are turning out to be a big hit with mentally challenged children, and also for children with learning disabilities. ‘Animal assisted therapy’ is slowly being introduced in India largely thanks to Minal Lonkar-Kavishwar and her team of animal-lovers who volunteer to train animals for such therapy at Animal Angels Foundation.

“Pets only know to give love, expecting nothing in return. They can be good friends to the children and excellent listeners,” said Kavishwar.

“Animal assisted therapy helps students with learning disability overcome their inhibitions and boosts their self confidence, as the animals don’t talk back. If a child narrates stories or poems to an animal trained for therapy, it really helps the child,” said Kavishwar who runs the foundation in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. The team had experimented with the therapy at the Jungle Book Children's Library in Pune, where children volunteered to read to animals.

The therapy can work wonders even for normal children. Recently the club had experimented with children at EuroKids Pre-school. “Pets like dogs, cats, rabbits were taken to the school and at a day-long seminar on ‘introduction to animals’ children were made to overcome their inhibitions,” she said. “Animal therapy helps in inculcating values like empathy, compassion, sympathy and responsibility. If a child with a tendency to bully is told to look after a pet, he/she ends up parenting the animal. This immediately makes the child feel more responsible and calm down,” Kavishwar said.

One such dog, Kutty who now four and a half years old, is working as an assistant therapist at Jidd School in Thane for special children. “Kutty is like one of the teaching staff. She waits outside the door when the kids get out of the bus, monitors them during lunch, and also plays with them. If they don’t go to class after the bell she howls at them, but never harm them,” said Shyamsri Bhosale, owner of Kutty and principal of Jidd School.

“In school, there are several success stories scripted around Kutty. One such story is about Sharukh who did not speak a word. However, after meeting Kutty, the first word that he uttered was ‘Kutty’,” Bhosale said.

Kutty, was recently voted the world’s most ‘socially helpful dog’ on an online poll. She will soon be conferred with the Beyond Limits Award by the Delta society, a Washington based organisation, for the outstanding work she had done as animal therapist after the 7/11 train blasts.

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