Emotional Support
Indraloka partners with a number of child psychologists and emotional care organizations.
We offer the opportunity for therapists to bring their clients to the sanctuary, spending time with the animals as part of their healing journey.
Therapists have often told us that children open up better and are able to begin healing more readily when they are around rescued animals, with whom they often identify.
Possibly one of the most studied of our four focus areas is how animals can help children with psychological conditions.
The National Institute of Mental Health even recognizes animal-assisted therapy as a form of psychotherapy for treating depression and other mental disabilities.
The benefits of animal interaction are endless, and many studies have shown that simply petting an animal releases endorphins, or ‘feel-good’ hormones, that can help patients dealing with anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Caring for animals also takes the focus away from the individual and redirects the attention to the needs of the animal in care, and by gaining that responsibility, the individual finds purpose.
A more hidden, but just as dangerous concern is children who are facing abuse and neglect. According to Safe Horizon, 3.6 million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the United States, meaning that on average, a case of child abuse is reported every 10 seconds. Children who are victims of abuse suffer severe and long-lasting mental and physical health impacts and are more likely to face problems such as drug use, teen pregnancy, and incarceration.
To learn more about these programs or to inquire about participating,
please email us at info@indraloka.org or call us at 570-763-2908.