WMP fund 1:1 Animal Assisted Therapy to help reduce crime

HugglePetsCIC Awarded funding from West Midlands Police to deliver 1:1 Animal Assisted Therapy

HugglePets in the Community are excited to announce that the West Midlands Police Community Fund have provided funding to deliver Animal Assisted Therapy as an early intervention to children who are vulnerable to crime or are suffering with complex behavioural issues.

HugglePets in the Community are overjoyed to receive this funding to support the community. We have seen a huge increase in demand for our services over the recent months following the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will allow us to provide 1:1 Animal Assisted Therapy to children, young people and adults who live in the Black Country (Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell).

The one to one session work through topics such as:

Abuse
Addictions
Intrusive Thoughts
Post-Traumatic Stress
Relationship Issues
Trauma

Studies show that these topics often lead to a variety of behavioural outputs which include amongst others: exclusion from school, violent outbursts and isolation which can lead to gang type alliances.

We aim to support individuals to cope with situations out of their control without acting in a criminal or violent way towards others. These sessions will encourage a change in life experiences for the individuals that engage in one to one Animal Assisted Therapy, helping to cultivate empathy and compassion.

This funding will allow us to increase our already existing offer to meet the needs of over 150 more vulnerable individuals.

Hannah Dixon, Project Manager said "We have received a lot of interest from local schools we currently work with as they have expressed the urgency of mental health support needed for their pupils". Offering this early intervention will allow for a correct signposting to different mental health agencies to take place which will prevent ongoing existing and potential criminal activities.

Please contact the Team via an enquiry if this project could support a young individual you know.

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