Since 2016, our animal therapy farms in Kibbutz Urim and Sderot, near the Gaza strip, have successfully treated children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The first, in Sderot, uses small animals such as rabbits, birds and dogs. The second structure, set up in partnership with the Adelis Foundation, is in the kibbutz of Urim, also close to the Gaza Strip, and uses horses in equitherapy programs. These 2 programs, created back in 2016, have the main aim of relieving suffering linked to post-traumatic stress in patients. In fact, in areas bordering the Gaza Strip, there is an Israeli population of around 70,000 inhabitants spread across 81 villages and kibbutzes, which are regularly targeted by rockets and other missiles.
The vast majority of children in these villages live in a state of permanent stress, alerted by sirens, and regularly having to take shelter in bunkers. In response to these problems, Rescuers Without Borders created these therapeutic farms for these children, using an innovative psychological method known as zootherapy. This type of therapy uses the animal as a mediator to treat people suffering from sensory, physical, intellectual or psychological disorders. This therapeutic technique has proved its worth all over the world, and the effects are tangible from the very first sessions: the relationship with the animal promotes wellbeing, and brings physiological, psychomotor (lower heart rate, effect on tension) and psychological (stress reduction) benefits.
Depending on each child’s needs, the therapeutic teams offered individual and group sessions, with the session cycle lasting an average of 6 months. The therapists at these two farms were able to care for approximately 1,000 children each year, delivering tens of thousands of sessions.
Since October 7, 2023, our two farms have been closed indefinitely. The areas are closed military zones and most of the people have been evacuated.
In addition to their past suffering, children from neighboring villages and kibbutzim where were enrolled in our animal therapy programs on our farms have now experienced the recent traumatic events of October 7th. Added to that, thousands of children have been moved from their homes to hotels and temporary homes throughout the country. They no longer have access to their village, their school, their home, their bedroom, and of course… their pet therapy center, which was an important part of their lives.
All the therapists agree on the following: the sooner therapy is initiated, the more effective it will be on his/her reopening to the world, and on his/her ability to regain a stable emotional pattern.
With this in mind, we knew we could not sit by and wait for the war to end. We couldn’t wait to support the thousands of traumatized and displaced children. How could we do nothing?
While we await the reopening of our farms in Ourim and Sderot, we have set up a therapeutic farm-in-a-truck with animals and two consultation rooms, one individual and the other collective. This truck will enable us to travel the country to meet our displaced patients, and to resume and expand the therapeutic work undertaken since 2016. Like an itinerant medical mission traveling from village to village, our therapists will offer psychological care with animals to children in need, wherever they are. To act quickly and effectively, our first truck will carry small animals – dogs, mice, hamsters and rabbits. Our teams of therapists, already assembled, will be on hand to conduct the therapy sessions. In a second phase, we plan to transport horses in specially adapted trailers.
Would you like to be a partner for this project? Donate today
