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Shri Ma Snehadeep,
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Raahat Ka Ehsaas
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AAT for post trauma stress
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Raahat Ka Ehsaas -
'EXPRESSIONS'
On the
10th of December 2006, the Bombay Psychiatry Society, KEM
hospital and the Rotary Club of Mumbai along with Animal
Angels Foundation, organized a meet called as 'Expressions' for the
families of the victims to express their emotions and experiences.
Animal Therapy for the first time was introduced as a medium for stress
management after a disaster in India.
11th of July is a date that Mumbai will not be able to wipe off,
neither from its memories, nor its calendars.
Following the gory serial blasts, people got back to work the very
next day. Does it mean that they didn't feel? Anger, hurt, fear,
denial, sorrow- to name some of the unspoken emotions. Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder is a much- spoken -about- little- known- about
appendage of such disasters.
To cater to such unattended psychological stresses Bombay Psychiatry
Society, KEM and the local Rotaries and the Rotaracts
joined hands to form the Raahat ka Ehsaas. Through our help lines we promised and
provided free psychiatric/psychological help to anyone who
suffered
mental repercussions due to the blasts.
On the 10th of December, at the 'Expressions' meet, the main
attraction were the 2 therapy dogs. Kutty, my four year old Lab; our
senior most therapy dog and Goldie, the 1 1/2 year old Golden
Retriever. The two therapy dogs were taken at the meeting to interact
with the families of the victims and to give them an experience of
how animal therapy can be soothing for stress after trauma. The entry
of the animals into the room changed the entire atmosphere. They
interacted with all the people present.
Most of the people affected said that their children have still not
been able to come to terms with the loss of a family member. Even
though they seem to be normal, the parents know that the had to 'grow
up' at a young age as the entire responsibility was on them now. They
had not come out of the trauma and opened up or expressed themselves.
The children present there touched the dog, hugged her, even elders
who were afraid initially played with her later on.
People from the media were also shared their experiences on the
effect of disasters on them and how they have to be 'professionals'
and just cover the story. They never get a chance to express
themselves or to vent out their emotions.
As the event was organized by the Bombay Psychiatry Society, eminent
Psychiatrists, counselors and Doctors were present. They were also
very enthusiastic on the inclusion of Animal Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress. Animal Therapy can prove to be very helpful in
providing immediate emotional comfort, motivation and a ray of hope
at the time of disasters.
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A girl
hugging Kutty
HOD of KEM hospital with
Kutty
Kutty and a girl
Therapy
Dog Goldie with the physically disable people present at the meet |
