Our latest endeavor at the Slovenian Society for Therapy Dogs is a groundbreaking project aimed at empowering therapy dog handlers to assist children in overcoming cynophobia, the fear of dogs. By harnessing the gentle demeanor of our certified therapy dogs, we aim to equip handlers with the skills to guide children through their fears and enable them to navigate daily encounters with dogs more confidently.
Overcoming cynophobia in children is a complex challenge, especially considering the significant impact it can have on their daily lives and development. This is further compounded for children with special needs, who may experience heightened difficulties in interacting with dogs due to their unique behavioral characteristics.
Trained therapy pairs will help children overcome their fear of dogs For more severe fears, the first step is to bring the fear under control, then gradually accept interactions with dogs as something normal. The goal is also to educate parents, how to support their children in everyday life when encountering dogs. With professionally trained therapy pairs we will directly and safely carry out exposure therapy, which is considered the most effective technique for all phobias.
The impact of our project extends far beyond the immediate benefits of overcoming cynophobia in children. By enabling children to conquer their fear of dogs, we pave the way for their healthy development and empower them to navigate the world with confidence and autonomy. Interacting with dogs not only provides children with companionship and emotional support but also fosters important life skills such as empathy, responsibility, and communication. The goal is to extend the project in EU.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
