Angels with Paws

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a relatively new field of study, although the human-animal bond has existed for thousands of years. AAT is a type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment. The goal of AAT is to improve a patient’s social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Animals can also be useful for educational and motivational effectiveness for participants.

Animals are tools for therapy because they can make people feel safe and loved when they have been deprived of social interaction or hurt by other people. They do not communicate with words, and so patients afraid of approaching people can comfortably approach an animal. Additionally, a therapist who brings along a pet is viewed as being less dangerous to the patient, and so the previously uncommunicative patient is willing to share more with the professional.

Animal Angels Foundation is a Mumbai based organization run by Rohini Fernandes and Radhika Nair who are clinical psychologists, certified practitioners of animal-assisted therapy and professional dog trainers.

 

·          Animal Angels Foundation was shortlisted by Marico Innovation Foundation as one of the top twenty-five innovations in India for the Innovation for India Awards 2007-2008.

·          Rohini and Radhika were also nominated as MTV Youth Icons of the year 2008 for their work at Animal Angels Foundation.

·          Nominated for the TATA NEN Startups Awards 2008. Our organization was ranked 241 from 600 different startup companies in India!

·          Rohini and Radhika were chosen as part of the Paragon 100 Fellowship (2009-2010) organised by The Foundation for Youth Social Entrepreneurship (FYSE).

 

·         They were part of 100 young outstanding social change makers and entrepreneurs in the Asia Pacific region who dared to stride out by setting up their own business.

Animal Angels Foundation is looking out for animal lovers who have done their M.A. in clinical or counseling psychology and would like to join their team of angels in Mumbai. Contact them at animalangels@rediffmail.com with your details. 

www.animalangelsfoundation.com