Support Animals
The healing power of animals is undeniable.
That’s why support animals are used to empower survivors and many others. Service dogs, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs are all different types of support animals. They each have different roles, abilities, and responsibilities, but all of them help survivors thrive.
In addition to mental health, trauma can have many short- and long-term effects on a survivor's physical, physiological, and emotional health. Having connections with an animal can provide survivors with a secure attachment. This can foster resiliency, emotional and nervous system regulation, and capacity for stable relationships. This also allows for effective trauma processing.
Animals can also help promote and facilitate the self-regulation of survivors by providing comfort through sensory stimulation.
Being around animals can increase levels of oxytocin (aka the "trust hormone", "love hormone", or "bonding hormone") while also decreasing levels of cortisol (aka the "stress hormone") and raising levels of dopamine. This can possibly reduce hyperarousal symptoms.
Through all these physical effects, animals can reduce the risk for heart disease in survivors, lower cholesterol, and lower blood pressure, while also fulfilling emotional needs like love, security, companionship, and comfort.
The EmBark Foundation provides support for survivors of sexual violence, including funding to adopt and care for an Emotional Support Animal.
If you are a survivor who wants to adopt an Emotional Support Animal, fill out the EmBark Foundation application.