Inclusion of dogs in emotional rehabilitation in casesof violence against women

Abstract

Abstract. In the face of violence against women, there are numerous models of preven­tion and psychoeducational care, with few tertiary intervention specifically rehabilitation of emotional damage left by violence in women. This study aims to publicize the story of six women who have experienced violence and who report having a companion animal in this case a dog and thereby identify the benefits they have had in their emotional recovery and rehabilitation. It is appreciated how animals support women in establishing and managing positive links, overcoming emotional crossroads and regaining control of emotions and being catalysts to restore strength and energy. As an area of opportunity it is necessary to develop specific protocols to be able to migrate from an animal inclusion to an Animal Assisted Thera­py in cases of violence against women.

Keywords: Therapeutic inclusion with dogs, emotional rehabilitation, violence against women.